A Baldur’s Gate 3 enthusiast, who is also a passionate bird watcher, has raised questions about the authenticity of the portrayal of the blue jays in the game. This virtual birder suggests that the game's developers at Larian Studios may not have a comprehensive understanding of the behaviors and characteristics of these North American birds.
Rich in various elaborate facets, Baldur's Gate 3 offers numerous opportunities for player interactions. Apart from the many humanoid non-playable characters (NPCs), the game contains a diverse range of animals that inhabit its large areas. These animals are not only part of the game’s ecology but also serve as characters that players can engage in dialogue.
The interactions are not limited to the usual domesticated animals found in RPGs like tamed dogs or horses. A player could find themselves interacting with creatures such as owlbear cubs, squirrels, and a variety of bird species. Meanwhile, an analysis of such interactions by this Baldur’s Gate 3 fan has given rise to a hypothesis that the game’s developers might not fully understand the nature of the blue jay.
The enthusiast, passionate about bird watching, has assembled a group of compelling proofs from the game’s narrative which seem to suggest a marginally inaccurate portrayal of the blue jay. This bird species, beloved by our virtual birder, is represented in a way that is amusingly different from its real-world counterpart.
Setting Things Straight About Blue Jays
Quite interestingly, the claim was made in a lighthearted public forum post that sparked meaningful conversations and discussions. The post, while made in jest, held an underlying claim that Larian Studios lacked a realistic portrayal of blue jays – a bird species native to North America.
In the post sharing the claim, the player observes the manner in which blue jays are presented in the game and finds it incredibly entertaining. In their view, Larian Studios, being a Belgian company, suffers from an understandable disconnect with the nature of a species that is endemic to another continent.
To support these claims, the Baldur’s Gate 3 player shares concrete examples. One point raised was about the blue jay from the Druid’s Grove in the game capable of singing beautifully. This contrasts with the actual behavior of blue jays, which are more prone to screaming rather than producing melodious calls.
Another instance highlighted by the player pertains to the storyline involving a blue jay asking for the protagonist’s assistance in reclaiming its nest from Giant Eagles at the Rosymorn Monastery. According to the birder, a real-life blue jay would rather gather its friends and confront the eagle intruders, a behavior known as mobbing.
A Touch of Humour and Love for Baldur’s Gate 3
In isolation, the point raised could be seen as a criticism of Larian Studios, but the player was quick to emphasise this was far from the truth. Rather, they were merely pointing out the humorous interpretation of blue jays by the game developers and sharing this amusement with the gaming community.
The player holds immense appreciation for the game, and this investigation into the characteristics of blue jays within Baldur's Gate 3 was simply a reflection of their personal interest in birdwatching. As with any role-playing game, a player's background and personal interests can inspire them to look deeper into the game elements relevant to their passions.
While it's true that Larian’s depiction of blue jays may not completely align with the bird’s behavior in nature, these discrepancies have given rise to engaging conversations. At the end of the day, Baldur’s Gate 3 is a fantasy RPG and the developers have used their creative freedom to infuse unique personalities into their animal characters, including the blue jays.