Larian Studios, following the phenomenal success of Baldur's Gate 3, has officially shifted its development focus to a new, unannounced project. While minimal support for BG3 will continue, including the upcoming Patch 8 with added features, the studio's primary attention is now dedicated to its next endeavor.
Before the late 2023 release of Baldur's Gate 3, Larian Studios had already established itself as a CRPG powerhouse with the Divinity: Original Sin series. This impressive track record secured them the Baldur's Gate license, a mantle previously held by BioWare. Baldur's Gate 3's overwhelming success, garnering numerous Game of the Year awards and attracting a wider audience to the CRPG genre, has significantly boosted Larian's reputation, generating considerable anticipation for their next game.
In a statement to VideoGamer, Larian confirmed their complete focus on their next title, also announcing a temporary media blackout to ensure uninterrupted development. While Patch 8 will introduce some new features to Baldur's Gate 3, further major support for the game appears unlikely.
The nature of Larian's post-Baldur's Gate 3 project remains shrouded in mystery. While they opened a new studio in mid-2024 to support the development of two ambitious RPGs, the current status of this plan is unclear. Speculation among gamers ranges from a Divinity: Original Sin 3 to an entirely new IP, leveraging the lessons learned from Baldur's Gate 3's triumph.
The future of the Baldur's Gate franchise itself is uncertain. With Larian's departure, Wizards of the Coast faces the challenge of finding a suitable successor, a task made more daunting by Baldur's Gate 3's high benchmark. However, the possibility of familiar faces returning for future installments remains, as several actors from Baldur's Gate 3 have expressed interest in reprising their roles, regardless of the developing studio.
