If you’re among the many who have been waiting for another big RPG set in the Baldur’s Gate universe, prepare to be disappointed. Swen Vincke, the visionary behind Larian Studios, announced at this year’s Game Developers Conference a decision that felt like a plot twist nobody saw coming – the company is done with DnD.
In what could only be described as a bittersweet farewell to a franchise that has become renowned for its epic storytelling and immersive gameplay, Larian Studios has decided to part ways with the Baldur’s Gate series, marking the end of an era for the Dungeons & Dragons universe in its portfolio.
However, we shouldn’t be so surprised by this decision, considering the massive layoffs that have affected Wizards of the Coast and Hasbro, the owners of the Dungeons & Dragons IP. As reported by IGN, there will be no DLCs, no expansions, and, brace yourselves, no Baldur’s Gate 4. It’s the end of the road for Larian’s work on the iconic series.
Having developed Baldur’s Gate 3, a game so rich in depth and engagement that it won the top prize at last year’s Game Awards and garnered a 10/10 from multiple critics and publications, many expected the Belgian studio to continue expanding the Forgotten Realms.
However, studio chief Vincke seems to have other ideas on his mind. As he puts it, it’s about chasing that sense of elation you get from creating something truly special. It’s about not settling for the status quo, even when the status quo involves being at the helm of one of the most successful RPGs in recent memory.
Larian is taking a step back from the Dungeons & Dragons universe, not because it’s run out of stories to tell, but because it’s on a quest for a new kind of storytelling magic. It’s looking for its next big idea, its next adventure.
So, where does that leave us, the legion of Baldur’s Gate fans? Heartbroken, most certainly, but hopefully still looking towards a future where Larian Studios creates the next masterpiece. The end of Baldur’s Gate doesn’t signify a loss. If anything, it heralds the beginning of something new, something potentially groundbreaking.
Vincke’s declaration that Larian’s next project will not be a return to the Divinity: Original Sin series, but something that, while different, will feel familiar, is intriguing. The studio’s proficiency in developing award-winning RPGs likely means it will stick to the genre where it has found the most success.
Our best bet is that Larian will focus on creating its own new IP and bank on the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 to push its next game. Until that time comes, we can only hope that Larian will extend its ongoing work to support Baldur’s Gate 3 with robust, cross-platform mod support, ensuring that the game will continue to grow and evolve even in its absence.
