I have no idea how someone else hasn't posted this here yet, but it looks like Larian announced patch 8. Unfortunately, it won't come until next year (so no crossplay over the holiday break :( ) but it looks pretty good.

Highlights: cross-platform multiplayer, photo mode, 12 new sub-classes.

Also noteworthy: It sounds like they're offering a patch 8 open beta "stress test," with details coming in Jan 2025:

"This time, you’re invited to join us for a period of stress testing, where you can jump in and try out the new subclasses, explore Tav’s best angles in photo mode, and play with friends together on other platforms. Yep, this stress test will be available to those on Xbox and PlayStation, as well as PC!"

I'm, not going to fight the GOG forum system to try to copy/paste everything into here, but you can read the announcement yourself here: https://forums.larian.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=954417#Post954417

If this is the actual *final* patch then I am glad Larian will be doing a stress test.
I hope they will be able to hammer out as many bugs as possible in gameplay, crossplay functionality and any specific issues with us GOG PC players.

Holy shit...we're getting 12 new subclasses.

I wonder if we'll get dialogue options associated with each new sub-class.

May there be many more final patches.

Apparently there's a new (and highly amusing) bug introduced with Patch 7 where Jaheira and Minsc will show up completely naked for their first introduction. XD

its not new but yes that can happen

as an update Larian just confirmed friends on Gog or Mac can go fuck themselves... Patch 8 is tested for Steam, Xbox and Playstation only

where did they say this?

I've been eager to crossplay with my PS buddy since the damn game was released. That's super frustrating.

Edit: nvm. Found it on the forum.

"Q: Can anyone participate?
A: Unfortunately, GOG and Mac players won’t be able to join us for this one."

That's specifically referring to the stress test... I misunderstood your post as saying patch 8 wasn't coming to GOG.

Based on a number of factors, that decision kinda makes sense. Larian doesn't want people writing bugs on old versions, but GOG doesn't auto-update users. Also, GOG users manage to get themselves into SNAFUs with offline installers even when the code is fully functional. GOG is also slower to roll out updates, meaning even if users are diligent in updating, sometimes they may not have the option, leading to duplicate bug reporting, etc.

Here's hoping we actually get the patch, even if we can't test it.

We've gotten every patch before, so based on that I'd say we very likely will get patch. 8.

i'll give you updates for Mac users roll out slower but thats also on Steam and has nothing to do with Gog... Larian rolls out all the updates for this game which Steam and Gog make live as they come across [othen untested and getting pulled back down]

Gog does control the off-line updates that come out a few days after the main patch so perhaps that is what you are thinking of

to be clear, this 'stress test' means Larian is using the Steam background servers i.e, not their own so its a fake test but i understand the logic of going outside for a big event, its just sad to see them make their same mistake over and over