Larian Studios Charts New Paths: What’s Next After Baldur’s Gate 3?
Larian Studios, the creative force behind Baldur’s Gate 3, is embarking on a new journey, setting its sights on original intellectual properties (IPs) in lieu of continuing the Baldur’s Gate series. Despite this shift, the studio’s CEO, Swen Vincke, envisions the upcoming projects as potential masterpieces, heralding them as “our best work ever.”
In a recent community update on Steam, Larian revealed its decision to explore new IPs after six years immersed in the Forgotten Realms universe. The studio emphasized its commitment to creative freedom and expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead, teasing two new projects in development.
While details about these projects remain scarce, Larian assured fans that the spirit of Baldur’s Gate 3—the immersive storytelling and player-driven experiences—will continue to guide their endeavors. Vincke echoed this sentiment, expressing genuine excitement about the studio’s future endeavors, describing the plans as “hype” born from genuine confidence in the quality of their work.
Although Larian’s next projects won’t be the colossal RPG Vincke envisions, they represent significant steps towards that ambitious goal. The decision not to pursue Baldur’s Gate 4 aligns with Larian’s ethos of innovation and exploration, as Vincke emphasized the studio’s commitment to creating fresh experiences rather than revisiting past successes. In an era that encourages sequels, reboots, and remakes more than ever, with video games certainly being the norm rather than the exception, Larian’s take on the matter is refreshing.
Despite the departure from the Baldur’s Gate franchise, Larian remains dedicated to enhancing Baldur’s Gate 3 with ongoing updates, including improved endings and official modding tools. Meanwhile, Dungeons & Dragons parent company Hasbro is actively seeking a new studio to continue the Baldur’s Gate legacy, signaling the franchise’s enduring significance in the gaming landscape. As Larian forges ahead into uncharted territory, the gaming community eagerly anticipates the unveiling of their next groundbreaking creations.