Larian Studios, under the leadership of CEO Swen Vincke, achieved widespread fame with the release of Baldur’s Gate 3, a game that garnered massive success and critical acclaim last year. However, despite this monumental achievement, Vincke believes that an earlier RPG, Divinity: Original Sin, remains the highlight of his career.
He reflects on the significance of this earlier project, which, despite being less well-known than Baldur’s Gate 3, marked a turning point for both him and the studio.
Before Baldur’s Gate 3 made Larian a household name, the studio had already made strides in the gaming world with the crowdfunded Divinity: Original Sin games. Vincke explains that the release of the first Divinity: Original Sin was a breakthrough for Larian.
It was the success of this game that laid the foundation for future projects, including the opportunity to work on a game as large as Baldur’s Gate 3. For Vincke, Divinity: Original Sin was a pivotal moment that opened doors for the studio to pursue its long-term creative ambitions.
Vincke recalls the release of Divinity: Original Sin with a deep sense of accomplishment. After years of hard work, the game finally gave the studio the momentum it needed to break through in the industry.
This success allowed Larian to begin realizing the projects they had long dreamed of, marking the moment as his personal favorite in his career. The relief and validation of that breakthrough hold more significance to him than even the unprecedented success of Baldur’s Gate 3.
Nevertheless, Vincke does not discount the incredible achievements of Baldur’s Gate 3. The game took the gaming world by storm, winning all major game awards and setting records as the first game to do so.
Vincke acknowledges that 2023 was an extraordinary year filled with numerous highlights for Larian, although he remains humble about just how significant Baldur’s Gate 3’s success has been for the company and the gaming industry.
Looking forward, Larian Studios has decided to move away from the Dungeons & Dragons universe, opting not to pursue a Baldur’s Gate 4. Instead, they are working on an entirely new RPG.
However, the development team faces some creative challenges as they transition to a new project, given how much they invested in Baldur’s Gate 3. Despite their desire to innovate, the lasting impact of Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to influence their future endeavors.
