After Baldur’s Gate 3: Larian Studios Embarks on Two “Crazy Ambitious” New Projects
Following the monumental success of Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios, the acclaimed Belgian
developer, has confirmed that it is “deep in the trenches” working on not one, but two new,
original IP games. While details are scarce, CEO Swen Vincke has described them as “crazy
ambitious,” setting high expectations for what’s next from the RPG masters. The decision to
move on from Baldur’s Gate 3 and “Dungeons & Dragons” was a significant one for Larian.
Vincke explicitly stated that the studio is not interested in creating DLC, expansions, or a
Baldur’s Gate 4, preferring instead to focus on entirely new ventures and maintain creative
freedom over their own intellectual property. This commitment to fresh ideas is a hallmark of
Larian’s philosophy, even if it means leaving behind a hugely successful formula. Here’s what
we know so far of their upcoming projects.
For one, we know they’re working on two projects. This is the most concrete detail. Larian is
splitting its considerable talent and resources across two distinct projects. This new strategy
aims to reduce downtime between projects and smooth out the development cycle, a departure
from their previous approach of focusing on one massive game at a time. Both projects will be
Larian’s own creations, not licensed properties like Baldur’s Gate 3, which contains characters
and other ideas from the company Wizards of the Coast, who is responsible for “Dungeons &
Dragons.” This opens up exciting possibilities for entirely new worlds, lore, and gameplay
mechanics.
This next idea might bum some people out. While many fans have speculated about a return to
the Divinity universe with Divinity: Original Sin 3, Larian’s publishing director, Michael Douse,
recently stated it’s “too early to tell” if that’s one of the current projects. A brief, accidental social
media name change to “Divinity” fueled these rumors, but Douse clarified it was part of a
process to secure IP-related social handles. However, a return to their beloved original series
remains a strong possibility for one of the two games down the line.
And finally, a new storytelling team. Larian is reportedly building a dedicated “storytelling team”
to work with their existing writing department, suggesting an even deeper investment in crafting
intricate and impactful narratives that can be laid out years in advance.
The success of Baldur’s Gate 3 has not only elevated Larian Studios to new heights but has
also seemingly emboldened them to tackle even more ambitious undertakings. While fans will
have to exercise patience, the prospect of two entirely new, Larian-crafted RPGs is a thrilling
one. The gaming world eagerly awaits to see what innovative and immersive experiences this
visionary studio will bring to life next.
