WizKids, the acclaimed publisher of board games, is currently facing significant backlash over their latest series of miniatures based on the highly popular Baldur’s Gate 3. In response to customer complaints, the company has issued a formal apology, admitting that the product “missed the mark” and has pledged to offer full refunds to unsatisfied customers.
Launched late last year, the miniatures collection, officially branded as Dungeons & Dragons: Icons of the Realms: Baldur’s Gate 3, rapidly gained traction among fans. U.S. consumers received their orders earlier this month, priced at approximately £50/$49.99. However, rather than the intricately detailed figures of fan-favorite characters such as Astarion, Karlach, Gale, Shadowheart, Wyll, Lae’zel, and Withers—promised in the marketing material—disappointed customers unboxed pre-painted miniatures that underwhelmed and resembled more of an amateur’s attempt than a polished product.
This dissatisfaction sparked a wave of outrage across social media platforms, prompting WizKids to acknowledge the problem. “As a company, we strive to create products that elevate the experience of gameplay,” they commented on their official site. “We aim to foster cherished memories around gameplay with loved ones using our creations.”
“Unfortunately, we misjudged the outcome of the D&D Icons of the Realms: Baldur’s Gate 3 Character Boxed Set,” the company admitted. “For those who purchased this set directly from us and are dissatisfied, we will process full refunds. We take these reported issues seriously and our team is currently investigating the feedback to rectify these problems and ensure similar situations are avoided in future releases.”
Customers who procured the miniatures from third-party retailers are advised to contact those entities for refunds. For those interested in receiving a replacement that aligns with their expectations, requests can be submitted through their website.
“We sincerely apologize for the frustration these quality concerns have caused our customers,” the company concluded. “We share in the disappointment, with the final product not only falling short of our standards but also those of our partner, Wizards of the Coast. Our team is dedicated to resolving this issue promptly and appreciates your patience as we assist impacted customers with their refunds.”
While this incident casts a shadow over the much-lauded release of Larian Studios’ critically acclaimed RPG in 2023, the future of beloved characters such as Astarion and Karlach is now in the hands of Dungeons & Dragons’ parent company, Hasbro. They have already hinted at exploring the possibility of a Baldur’s Gate 4, although with Larian pivoting towards new projects, the timeline for that remains uncertain.
