Larian Studios Shifts Focus to New Game, Enforces Media Blackout

Larian Studios, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3, has announced a significant shift in focus towards their next project, initiating a "media blackout" for the foreseeable future. While fans eagerly await the release of Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 later this year, Larian has made it clear that their "full attention" is now directed towards crafting a new game.

Reflecting on the studio’s journey, Larian boss Swen Vincke took to Twitter last week to express nostalgia and pride in the success of Baldur’s Gate 3. "But the story ain't over yet," Vincke teased, hinting at exciting developments on the horizon.

Got me all nostalgic - it really has been an incredible journey so far. But the story ain't over yet. Stay tuned. Going to try to skip the dark night of the soul moment though if you don't mind. https://t.co/eLSTv3CXb4

— Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) January 10, 2025

In a statement to VideoGamer, Larian reaffirmed their commitment to the new project, stating, "Swen and the team's full attention is focused on crafting their next title." The studio has ruled out the possibility of this being a sequel to Baldur’s Gate 3 or any Dungeons & Dragons game, opting instead for a completely new venture after failing to generate internal enthusiasm for a follow-up to Baldur’s Gate.

Hints about Larian’s next big game have been sparse. In November 2023, Vincke mentioned the project in vague terms, expressing excitement about pushing boundaries. "I wish I could tell you about our next big game but this is really encouraging us to ensure it pushes many boundaries," Vincke shared in response to Baldur’s Gate 3’s numerous nominations at The Game Awards.

While a sequel to Larian’s Divinity: Original Sin series is also on the cards, as mentioned by Vincke to IGN in July 2023, it’s not the immediate focus. "It's our own universe we built, so we're definitely gonna get back there at some point," Vincke assured, emphasizing the need for the team to take a creative break after completing Baldur’s Gate 3.

With Larian's history in fantasy RPGs, speculation abounds about the genre and setting of their next game. Could it be a foray into science fiction, a modern-day setting, or perhaps an entirely new genre? As Larian embarks on this media blackout, it may be years before we uncover the full scope of their ambitious new project.