Larian Studios has come a long way from its humble beginnings, where the team struggled with limited resources and tight deadlines. In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Larian CEO Swen Vincke reflected on the studio’s growth over the years. He mentioned that during the Divinity: Original Sin era, the team was small, with only about 40 developers working on the first game. This number increased to around 120 developers for the sequel, and now, with the opening of a seventh studio, Larian is approaching 500 employees.
Vincke emphasized the importance of getting the core gameplay experience right, especially when it came to combat and multiplayer functionality. He recalled telling his team that if they were to excel at one thing, it had to be the gameplay that players could enjoy with their friends. This focus on gameplay paid off with the success of the Divinity: Original Sin games, despite the initial shortcomings in storytelling.
With the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian Studios now has the luxury of spending more time honing their storytelling and character development. Vincke mentioned that they now spend years discussing and refining the story, a stark contrast to the rushed development of the first Divinity: Original Sin’s narrative, which he described as “really tacked on.” This shift in priorities is evident in Baldur’s Gate 3’s extensive early access period, where players have seen the depth of storytelling that Larian is now capable of.
As Larian Studios continues to evolve and grow, Vincke hinted at future projects that are currently in the works. However, with their newfound focus on storytelling and character development, it may be some time before we hear more about these projects. The recent cancellation of Baldur’s Gate 3 DLC and the closure of the door on a potential Baldur’s Gate 4 indicate that Larian is taking their time to ensure that their future games meet the high standards they have set for themselves.
Larian Studios’ journey from a small indie developer to a powerhouse in the RPG genre is a testament to their dedication to quality and their willingness to learn and adapt. With a renewed focus on storytelling and character development, it’s clear that Larian’s future projects will continue to push the boundaries of what RPGs can achieve in terms of narrative depth and player engagement.
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