Baldur’s Gate 3 has a special place in many a heart, thanks to its rich storytelling and immersive gameplay. And if you’re in the game’s tight-knit community, then you’ve heard about Swen Vincke, CEO of Larian Studios, the mastermind behind the game.
Vincke has been unafraid to voice candid opinions about current issues in the gaming industry or even about his studio. In a recent interview, the CEO called out the problems in game development and suggested a solution to overcome these challenges.
Baldur’s Gate 3 CEO Says the Industry Needs to Change
In an interview between Games Industry and Swen Vincke, the discussion turned towards the increasing costs of game development and the challenges the industry faces in trying to maintain stability.
He pointed out Steam’s market growth as a positive indicator, suggesting “there’s a basis there.” He also talked about the negative impact of certain trends, such as the infamous rise of NFTs, which ended up causing inflation and disrupted development.
I [saw] an NFT company that came by a school and took all the professors away by paying them way more. That’s the worst thing you can do in an industry.
Addressing the negative consequences of NFTs, Vincke openly called out those who had a part in pushing the trend forward. Such practices undermine the industry’s stability and harm long-term growth.
To address these challenges, Vincke advocated for a shift:
Getting rid of that kind of thing would be a good way of increasing sustainability, then [fixing] what the fundamental core problem in our business is, that [it] is driven too much by quarterly profit.
He added that long-term thinking was crucial to solving this problem, and “you have to be lucky to be in companies” that can approach the problem this way.
Vincke Proposes a Solution to the Gaming Industry’s Problem
So, what exactly is the solution? According to Vincke, one way of tackling this is by creating an environment where developers have the space to be creative and can pursue ambitious projects without feeling pressurized to deliver immediate financial results.
He mentions again why short-term thinking can harm companies:
The problem is that short-term thinking especially, it’s almost like drug dealing – you can really earn very rapidly, but you’re doing damage. So that really shouldn’t be done anymore, to be honest.
If you harbor any doubt about whether this strategy works or not, just take a look at the new Baldur’s Gate.
Vincke followed his own advice, and his team was able to create something that players enjoyed so much, that it basically marketed itself through word-of-mouth recommendations.
Vincke’s remarks highlight a critical need for game studios to change how they approach development.
Instead of chasing immediate profits, stakeholders need to look at the bigger picture and prioritize long-term sustainability.
Do you agree with Vincke’s statements? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below!
