Baldur's Gate 3's Successor Might Look Very Different (& That's A Good Thing)

Summary Larian Studios is moving away from Baldur's Gate 3, focusing on developing its own IPs.

There is a possibility that Larian is exploring a world and aesthetic different from medieval fantasy.

A shake-up from traditional fantasy settings could lead to Larian's next game being truly innovative.

There's not a lot of information about what Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian Studios is working on next, but based on the little that's known, there's good reason to believe the studio is headed in a substantially different direction. Considering the striking success that Baldur's Gate 3 has found since its release, pivoting to something different might seem like a dangerous choice that could alienate an enormous fan community. Depending on the approach, however, it's possible that what Larian is cooking up at the moment could be a more exciting prospect than another game like Baldur's Gate 3 would be.

The news that Larian Studios isn't working on DLC or a sequel for Baldur's Gate 3 came as something of a shock to many fans, although the company was always hesitant to commit to any plans in the past. Video games are an IP-driven industry, and moving on from a brand as strong as Baldur's Gate after resurrecting it in such a significant way could easily be seen as a waste of momentum. The other side of the coin is that it could also be seen as an obligation, and the team needs to be excited about its next project.

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The Baldur's Gate 3 Studio Is Working On Its Own IPs

The newest information on Larian's upcoming plans comes courtesy of a Steam community update for Baldur's Gate 3, which focuses on planned patch additions for the game but drops some extra teases into the mix. In a section titled "Looking to the future," Larian talks about moving on from six years spent working with the Dungeons & Dragons brand and taking the chance to "develop [Larian's] own IPs." At the moment, this is manifesting in two projects in the works at the studio, although it's unclear how development is being prioritized between them.

A quote from Larian's CEO Swen Vincke also makes an appearance as a closer, and it contains some interesting tidbits of its own about the ongoing work.

"I don't know if we're going to pull it off, but looking at our narrative, visual and gameplay plans, I think what we’re working on now will be our best work ever. I get excited like a kid watching the key imagery, want to show it to everyone now and grumble in frustration at having to wait until it’s actually all working. Yes, it’s hype but it’s hype because it really looks and feels good.”

As Swen himself acknowledges, there's only so much stock that can be placed in hype, especially when it's coming from someone with a vested interest in the studio's success. It's still an interesting statement thanks to what it focuses on, however, and reading into it makes guessing what's in the works a bit easier. Vincke's specific mention of the key imagery implies that there's something especially exciting about the visual concepts for the game, even without diving into actual game design.

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Larian Could Be Working On A Very Different World

Medieval Fantasy Isn't The Only Option

The obvious fallback for Larian would be another Divinity game, as both Original Sin titles in particular were major successes in their own right and carry a very similar appeal to Baldur's Gate 3. Referring to developing multiple IPs for the studio implies that there's more going on than just a return to Divinity, even if Original Sin 3 does end up releasing at some point.

Related Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition Review - A Fantastic Console Conversion Divinity: Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition brings the PC RPG to consoles with great success, delivering a rich and complex game with improvements.

Looking at Vincke's focus on the key visuals for the game, it seems possible that the studio is stepping away from the traditional medieval fantasy aesthetic that defines Divinity and Baldur's Gate 3. Although these games feature some strong art design, it's hard to imagine early concept phases for the games being thrilling in their visual concepts. Everything has been grounded in ideas that have been seen countless times before, and it's been the polished and forward-thinking iteration that's been exciting rather than the core imagery.

A Shake-Up Might Make Larian's Next Game Great

Being Different Than Baldur's Gate 3 Could Be For The Best

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There's a reason medieval fantasy is so enduringly popular, and it can be comforting to return to that familiar landscape, even when it's soaked in blood and turmoil. Striking out from that realm, however, could be the key to making Larian's next game feel truly fresh. Although there's plenty of variety in the CRPG scene, medieval and renaissance fantasy still tend to stand at the forefront of the genre, with titles like Pillars of Eternity and Owlcat's Pathfinder games marking some of the biggest entries in recent years.

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Larian's great at making CRPGs, and although it's very possible that the studio will end up turning its talent elsewhere, getting another rich choice-based adventure would be the dream. Setting it in a radically different context could make that even better, whether it turns fantasy in a new direction, embraces a sci-fi flavor, or explores any other option among the myriad paths before it. Part of the reason the Fallout series is still so resonant today is how unique its world has always felt, and the market could use more games with that kind of invention.

Even within the world of DnD, Planescape: Torment maintains a particularly passionate following thanks to its own departure from genre standards.

For fans loyal to medieval fantasy, the rich history of games in that tradition remains largely accessible today, from DnD tie-ins like Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights to huge franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Dragon Age. There's also the possibility that Hasbro will find a new home for Baldur's Gate beyond Larian, and even if that doesn't come to pass, it seems likely that more DnD games are in the cards. Larian Studios potentially exploring other opportunities doesn't leave the genre adrift; it just makes for a more diverse market of options.

Related BG3 Characters Like Astarion & Shadowheart May Return In Future Games Hasbro confirms that Baldur's Gate 3 characters like Astarion and Shadowheart are part of D&D's official canon so they may return in future games.

Of course, everything's just speculation for now, and it's fully possible that Larian is returning to Divinity or something in a similar vein before going anywhere else. It's definitely interesting to consider the possibilities, however, and the studio has a major opportunity to take the momentum from Baldur's Gate 3 into something that might have trouble attracting a following otherwise. The future of Larian Studios is exciting, even if it means that Baldur's Gate 3 may never get a very direct successor.