Larian Studios, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Baldur's Gate 3, has announced a significant shift in focus towards their next project, initiating a "media blackout" for the foreseeable future. This decision comes even as fans eagerly await the release of Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8, expected later this year, which promises to further enhance the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing experience.
Swen Vincke, the head of Larian, took to Twitter to express nostalgia about the studio's journey with Baldur's Gate 3, which has been met with immense success both critically and commercially. "But the story ain't over yet," Vincke teased, hinting at future endeavors while playfully suggesting he'd skip the "dark night of the soul" moment.
Got me all nostalgic - it really has been an incredible journey so far. But the story ain't over yet. Stay tuned. Going to try to skip the dark night of the soul moment though if you don't mind. https://t.co/eLSTv3CXb4
— Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) January 10, 2025
In a statement to VideoGamer, Larian emphasized that their "full attention" is now on crafting their next title, signaling a complete shift away from Baldur's Gate 3. This new game will not be a sequel to Baldur's Gate 3 or another D&D game, but rather a fresh project that the studio is eager to explore after failing to generate internal enthusiasm for a follow-up to Baldur's Gate.
Back in November 2023, Vincke hinted at the studio's next big game, expressing excitement about pushing boundaries. "I wish I could tell you about our next big game but this is really encouraging us to ensure it pushes many boundaries," he stated, responding to Baldur's Gate 3's numerous nominations at The Game Awards.
Prior to the explosive launch of Baldur's Gate 3 in July 2023, Vincke also mentioned to IGN that a sequel to Larian's Divinity: Original Sin series is in the works, though fans shouldn't expect it immediately. "It's our own universe we built, so we're definitely gonna get back there at some point," Vincke said. "We will get back there at some point. We'll first finish [Baldur's Gate 3], and then take a break, because we will need to refresh ourselves creatively also. You’re seeing 400 developers putting their heart and souls into this. You’re getting the best of them and their craft into this game. And so I can tell you, it's quite a thing."
While Divinity isn't next on the agenda, speculation abounds about the nature of Larian's upcoming project. Given their history with fantasy RPGs, could they venture into science fiction, a modern-day setting, or perhaps even a new genre altogether? It may be years before we get a clear answer, as Larian embarks on this new and exciting journey.
