Swen Vincke, the head of Larian Studios, recently made a playful comment at the SEA Game Awards 2024 in Malaysia, suggesting that the studio’s next major RPG could arrive in 2028 or 2029. He joked about the need to work hard on the game and return to the event in five years. His remark quickly caught the attention of fans and media, leading to speculation about the timeline for Larian’s future projects.
Following the event, Vincke clarified his statement in an interview with IGN, explaining that the 2028-2029 release window was just a joke. He chuckled and assured fans that the studio would release their next game only when it was ready.
Vincke emphasized that developing large-scale RPGs takes considerable time, and there’s no fixed date for the next release. This clarification helped manage expectations, reminding everyone that quality takes precedence over speed.
Larian’s cautious approach to discussing its future games is understandable given the scale of its recent projects. Baldur’s Gate 3, released in 2023, was an enormous and complex game that took years to develop.
Vincke has previously spoken about his plans for an even more ambitious RPG that could surpass previous titles. He also noted that the scope of such a game might require more advanced hardware, implying that Larian aims to push the limits of game design with their next project.
The studio is also expanding its operations. In early 2024, Larian opened a new studio in Warsaw, Poland, to work on two new RPGs. However, Vincke acknowledged that juggling two ambitious projects has been a challenge.
He explained that one of the games is becoming more dominant in terms of resources and attention, suggesting that Larian is focusing on the one expected to be released first. Despite this, details about both projects remain scarce.
Vincke also made it clear that Baldur’s Gate 4 is not in the works, as Larian has officially moved on from the Dungeons & Dragons license. Instead, the studio is focused on developing original, groundbreaking RPGs. While fans may have to wait a bit longer for Larian’s next release, the studio’s continued expansion and ambition suggest that exciting developments lie ahead.
