Swen Vincke, the CEO of Larian Studios and director of Baldur’s Gate 3, recently revealed his strong attachment to World of Warcraft, one of his most-played games. In a humorous reflection, Vincke joked that his persistent MMO habit may have contributed to his son’s “big game addiction.”
At one point, World of Warcraft became such a central part of his life that it even influenced his family time. This revelation sheds light on Vincke’s personal connection to gaming, beyond his professional role in game development.
In an interview with BAFTA, Vincke shared more details about his gaming preferences, mentioning that his most-played games would likely be either World of Warcraft or Starcraft 2. He recalled how he and his wife started playing World of Warcraft during her pregnancy, and their gaming sessions continued after their son was born.
The baby would sit on his mother’s lap as they continued playing, and now, Vincke jokes that their son has developed a significant interest in gaming, which he attributes to these early experiences.
The interview also highlighted Vincke’s admiration for the RPG genre, specifically his love for Ultima VII. He shared a secret about Baldur’s Gate 3 during the conversation but remained focused on personal anecdotes about his gaming history. Vincke’s storytelling emphasized his long-standing passion for games, both as a player and as a creator, showing how his personal experiences have shaped his work in the gaming industry.
In a lighthearted aside, the article pointed out the substantial time players have spent in Baldur’s Gate 3, humorously comparing it to other games like Skyrim. The staff at GamesRadar alone have collectively spent over 3,550 hours playing Baldur’s Gate 3 since its release, highlighting its strong appeal and staying power. This observation underscores the game’s significant impact on players and its ability to engage them for extended periods.
Vincke’s journey with games started early in life, beginning with classics like Pong and Space Invaders. He recalled how these early games ignited his desire to play more, though his parents did not share the same enthusiasm. Despite their reluctance, he was able to indulge his growing interest in games thanks to a neighbor who owned an arcade machine. This early exposure to gaming set the stage for his future career as a prominent game developer.
