Scarcity Mindset

I’ll never get tired of looting. Chests, barrels, vases — you name it, I’ll open it. But it’s known that in Baldur’s Gate 3, most of these lootable items are empty. So it begs the question: why bother?

When I was growing up, we didn’t have a lot of money. I learned to deeply cherish the things I acquired, never taking anything for granted. That outlook has followed me into my current gaming play style through a scarcity mindset of sorts. Do I have enough healing potions for this upcoming fight? Will I have enough camp supplies for a long rest? What if Gale runs out of spell slots — do I have enough scrolls to get through the combat? These anxieties have forced me to be diligent about my looting practices.

I admit, there’s no shortage of disappointments in opening empty vases and useless crates. Nonetheless, before every click, there’s always a glimmer of hope lingering. A feeling that something life-changing will be inside.

Many times, that hope does pay off — weapons, armor, scrolls, potions. Handwritten notes and books that help you fully immerse yourself in the world around you. Baldur’s Gate 3 definitely rewards players who explore and open every little box, even if it’s just little knickknacks to sell — and putting aside any personal feelings about capitalism, it’s generally helpful to have more money in video games. More money means more potions and food, which means fewer things to worry about.

It might be silly and time-consuming to let my experiences and anxieties coerce me into opening every box and vase in Baldur’s Gate 3. But I won’t be stopping anytime soon. With this mindset, I’m finally finding treasure when I used to have none. It’s almost a form of therapy. Taking matters into my own hands, healing myself by myself.