In an alternate universe, we’d be talking about Microsoft acquiring Larian Studios and making Baldur’s Gate 3 exclusive to the Xbox Series S/X. Alas, this doesn’t happen. Microsoft’s laundry list of potential acquisitions might have included the likes of Larian Studios and Square Enix, but it ultimately ended up getting away with a bigger coup: ZeniMax Media and Activision Blizzard. And, while most studios would’ve loved being part of the Microsoft Gaming umbrella, Larian doesn’t seem to be too bothered by it.
Despite the interest from Microsoft, the studio’s founder and CEO, Swen Vincke, dismisses the idea of being absorbed into a larger entity, choosing instead to commit to remaining independent.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Vincke made clear his stance on this issue, underlining his commitment to preserving the studio’s autonomy and creative independence. He explained, “The strength of this company is that I’m very invested in the gameplay, and I also make the ultimate decisions. We can do things in service of the games we’re making.”
The Belgian-based studio recently made headlines after, among other things, it appeared on a rumored list of developers that Microsoft was considering for acquisition. The list, which surfaced during Microsoft’s legal clash with the Federal Trade Commission over its proposed Activision Blizzard deal, included prestigious names such as SEGA, Square Enix, CD Projekt RED, FromSoftware, and Larian Studios, among others.
This list of potential acquisitions underscores the seismic shifts currently occurring within the gaming industry, as the larger companies continue their quests to consolidate their portfolios and diversify their offerings. Bethesda, the maker of Skyrim, has already fallen into Microsoft’s portfolio, and the tech giant’s whopping $69 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard is nearing its completion.
Yet, despite this rapidly evolving landscape and the flattering attention from industry giants, Vincke remains steadfast in his resolve to keep Larian Studios independent. He said, “I’m getting older, but I’m certainly not done yet.” Vincke’s words are a testament to his unwavering dedication to the studio he founded and the games it creates.
Beyond corporate machinations, Larian Studios continues to make strides in the gaming world with the recent release of Baldur’s Gate 3. This highly anticipated game is already receiving glowing reviews and positive feedback from the gaming community. It’s currently available on PC, with a PlayStation 5 release scheduled for September 6.
Unfortunately, the verdict’s still out on when the Xbox version is coming out. The team is currently facing a massive delay trying to overcome the hardware challenges presented by the Xbox Series S, particularly with split-screen local play.
Nearly a year after a developer called out the “potato GPU” of the Xbox Series S, Remedy Entertainment, the developers of Alan Wake 2, expressed its sympathies with Larian Studios’ predicament.
It’s unclear if becoming a first-party Xbox studio would’ve given Larian Studios the necessary resources to guarantee that the Xbox version of the game wouldn’t take as long, but it does raise questions about whether or not the Xbox Series S is holding developers back.
As for the future of Larian Studios, Vincke hinted at shifting gears to smaller projects. Although Baldur’s Gate 3 is massive for the studio, Vincke expressed his desire not to follow it up with another six-year project, indicating that he might prefer a shorter development cycle for future games.
Regardless of the scope, Vincke’s commitment to the gameplay and the final decision-making is unwavering, reiterating his dedication to creating games that stand the test of time.
Fingers crossed, Vincke and the rest of Larian remain just as committed to working on the next Divinity game after it’s done with Baldur’s Gate 3 and following a well-deserved break.
As the anticipation around Baldur’s Gate 3’s PlayStation 5 and Xbox releases builds, the spotlight will continue to shine on Larian Studios, not for potential acquisitions, but for its dedication to delivering high-quality, immersive experiences. With Vincke at the helm, the studio’s future promises to remain dynamic, innovative, and above all, independent.
