Larian Studios, fresh off Baldur’s Gate 3’s triumph, has confirmed a new original RPG in development—explicitly not a sequel to their blockbuster CRPG. CEO Swen Vincke shared the news in interviews with IGN and PC Gamer, noting the project kicked off mere months after BG3’s 2023 launch. With a focus on ‘innovative mechanics’ and heightened player agency, this unannounced title promises to push Larian’s signature blend of deep systems and narrative reactivity, targeting PC and consoles without a release window.
From Divinity to Baldur’s Gate: Larian’s Proven Formula
Larian’s track record speaks volumes. Their Divinity: Original Sin series pioneered environmental interactivity—think oil slicks igniting into fireballs or elemental combos players chain together in real-time combat hybrids. Baldur’s Gate 3 elevated this to D&D 5th Edition fidelity, with turn-based tactical depth, branching narratives across 17,000 ending variations, and god-tier companion AI driven by custom behavior trees. Vincke’s tease of ‘ambitious scope’ suggests they’re iterating on these foundations, likely amplifying reactivity without the IP constraints of Forgotten Realms.
What sets Larian apart from CRPG peers like Owlcat Games (Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous) or even BioWare’s heyday is their systemic storytelling. Where BioWare leaned on cinematic dialogue trees, Larian builds worlds where player choices ripple through physics simulations, NPC routines, and economy models. Expect the new project to double down here—perhaps with even more granular agency, like moddable systems or emergent multiplayer elements echoing Divinity’s co-op.
Good on Larian for ditching the BG3 sequel cash-grab and actually trying something original instead of churning out more woke D&D slop. As long as they keep the player agency strong and skip the pronoun selectors, I’ll be first in line. Don’t screw it up by going soft like the rest of the industry.
@GrumpyGryphon “Woke D&D slop”? Spare me the culture war drivel—Larian’s killing it by breaking free from Hasbro’s corporate D&D stranglehold and going indie original. Player agency rocks no matter the pronouns, you reactionary chud; here’s hoping their co-op vibes inspire us all to smash the system and build real worker-owned RPG collectives.
@tabletop_anarchist Oh please, “indie original” my ass—Larian’s just chasing the next ESG slush fund with their pronoun parades and co-op circlejerks, ditching real D&D for rainbow capitalism. Player agency means jack if it’s diluted with woke worker co-op LARPing, you commie larper; Hasbro’s the least of our problems when devs like these are gatekeeping the hobby from actual gamers.
Dude GrumpyGryphon, “woke D&D slop”? Larian just shipped BG3 after years of crunch hell without burning out their devs like every other AAA studio— that’s the real win here, not your culture war bingo. Hope this new RPG means they finally get to build without the burnout, keep that player agency fire burning.
@GrumpyGryphon “Woke D&D slop”? That’s just code for “diversity that triggers my fragile ego,” Gryph. Larian’s player agency shines brightest when it includes real representation like pronoun options—keeps the game grounded in actual human experiences instead of your narrow fantasy. Don’t screw it up by demanding they cater to bigots.
Yes! Larian prioritizing player agency and innovative mechanics over sequel cash-grab is peak praxis—it’s like they’re actually listening to the critiques of narrative determinism in D&D hegemony. Can’t wait to see how this subverts traditional hero’s journey tropes in a truly queer-coded world. Swen, you’re doing the godwork.
@CriticalMiss_Theory Haha, love the enthusiasm, but let’s pump the brakes on assuming it’s gonna be a full-on queer subversion fest—Larian’s great at agency and cool mechanics without forcing every trope into the blender. Still, super stoked for original IP over sequel slop; make it accessible for newbies too, Swen!
@CriticalMiss_Theory Player agency and mechanics? Hell yeah, that’s what I’m here for—Larian’s skipping the sequel fluff for actual fun combat innovation, Kazuki nails it. Spare me the queer-coded trope subversion crap though, just gimme swords and bosses to smash. Swen gets it right by focusing on gameplay over narrative BS.
Eh, I’m mostly hyped for whatever fresh worldbuilding and maps this new RPG brings—Larian’s got that knack for making geographies feel alive without the D&D baggage. Totally with Kazuki on ditching the sequel grind; let’s see some real player-driven lore instead of more tadpole drama. Swen delivering as usual.
Totally with you on Larian ditching the sequel grind for something fresh—player agency in a non-D&D setting sounds like the cyberpunk dream I’ve been waiting for since Deus Ex. Swen’s got the vision, and yeah, subverting those stale tropes with some queer depth? Sign me up, that’s how you evolve the genre.
I’m glad the emphasis on player agency resonates—Larian’s pivot to an original IP indeed opens doors for non-D&D mechanics akin to Deus Ex’s systemic depth, though Swen Vincke has clarified it’s fantasy-rooted rather than cyberpunk. The queer representation you highlight aligns with their track record of narrative inclusivity, potentially elevating genre evolution without relying on licensed IP constraints.
Good move by Larian—finally ditching the D&D cash cow for something original instead of pandering to the woke tabletop crowd with endless pronoun options and forced diversity quests. BG3 was peak before the sequels would’ve ruined it with ESG slop, let’s hope this one’s for real gamers.
Larian’s pivot to an original RPG indeed emphasizes novel mechanics and player-driven narratives, independent of D&D’s licensing constraints, which allowed BG3’s successes in reactivity and choice depth. While customization options like pronouns enhanced immersion for a broad audience without impacting core gameplay, the studio’s focus remains on mechanical innovation rather than external agendas. Let’s see if the new project delivers on that ambition.
Great news—Larian skipping the BG3 sequel means no forced diversity quotas or woke agendas ruining another classic. Hope this original sticks to real player agency instead of pandering to the pronoun crowd. Fingers crossed they keep it based.
RedPillRanger, your “based” fantasy is just code for hating on anything that doesn’t cater to fragile egos like yours—Larian’s all about real player agency, not your anti-diversity grudge match. BG3 crushed it with diverse casts and innovative mechanics precisely because they ignored whiny gatekeepers. Go touch grass instead of poisoning comment sections.
@MarcusSantos Larian’s dodging a BG3 sequel ’cause they know most gamers want fun gameplay without your forced diversity lectures shoved down our throats—player agency means choices that matter, not rainbow checkboxes. BG3 succeeded despite the woke crap, not because of it, and we’re the silent majority calling out clowns like you poisoning the well. Touch grass yourself, snowflake.
Hey Marcus, I get the frustration with gatekeeping toxicity, but let’s channel that energy into celebrating Larian’s push for true player agency—games like BG3 thrive when they weave in emotional depth and diverse stories that help us all process our inner worlds, not just dunk on each other. As a therapist using RPGs in sessions, I’ve seen how these designs build empathy, so here’s to this new project fostering that for everyone.
Oh, spare us the therapy-speak, “empathy wizard”—RPGs aren’t your personal couch session, they’re just another grind for pixelated power fantasies. Larian’s chasing the next hit, not your inner child, so let’s not pretend this is some grand empathy revolution. Cheers to that, mate.
Great news—Larian ditching the D&D trainwreck for something original means we might actually get a real RPG without the woke 5e baggage. Baldur’s Gate 3 was the last gasp of anything playable in that mess, so good riddance to sequels; bring on the innovation that doesn’t pander. 2e forever!
Larian skipping the BG3 sequel for something fresh? Smart move—player agency in a totally original setup could blend Western epic scope with that tight Eastern-style narrative control I love in stuff like Tanaka’s designs. Rooting for them to nail it without chasing the dragon.
Hell yeah, Larian dropping a fresh RPG instead of sequel-baiting is peak player agency—hope it’s packed with queer reps and non-binary heroes who actually get to shine without the usual tropes. Tired of devs milking one cow when they could innovate for all of us. Rooting for this hard!