Baldur’s Gate 3 was undoubtedly the biggest game launch of 2023, and Larian Studios’ efforts were immortalized when the massive D&D-inspired RPG won the coveted Game of the Year award in 2023, in addition to revitalizing the genre.
The game’s success is simply too huge to ignore, even for Bethesda Game Studios’ director and executive producer Todd Howard, who recently revealed his admiration for Larian. Adding to the list of big names, Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt also jokingly responded to Howard’s comments.
RPG Legend Todd Howard Commends Larian’s Track Record
Speaking with Kinda Funny podcast, Howard’s praise for Larian Studios was effusive. He acknowledged their long history of quality work, stating, “They’ve done great work for a long time,” and lamented the misconception some hold about Larian’s success:
There are some people in the industry who look [at Larian] and say ‘Oh look at this overnight success.’ Like, have you played their previous games?
Howard also expressed his appreciation for Larian’s overall approach to game development. “I think they did a tremendous job, obviously, in terms of what they delivered as a product and who they are as a studio. How they go about their work, how they talk about it, I think it’s fantastic,” he remarked.
Considering Larian is one of the few studios in 2024 that hasn’t gone through any layoffs, and is instead encouraging laid-off game developers to apply, there truly is something unique about the way they work.
CEO Swen Vincke stated earlier this year that the layoffs in the industry are purely a result of “corporate greed.” The studio is a class act, and demonstrably values its workforce.
Even Johan Pilestedt Can’t Ignore Baldur’s Gate 3‘s Success
Howard’s sentiments about Larian resonate with Arrowhead CEO Johan Pilestedt, who directed Helldivers 2, another unexpected success story. Replying to a report about Howard believing Larian’s laurels are earned, Pilestedt agreed and jokingly said it wasn’t much of a “hot take.”
Who doesn't? Not really a hot take. 🤣
— Pilestedt (@Pilestedt) April 30, 2024
While Pilestedt’s reaction may come off a bit sarcastic, it ultimately shows that even he is a believer in the phenomenons that Baldur’s Gate 3 and Larian Studios are. Developers are, after all, gamers themselves, constantly absorbing and learning from the experiences crafted by their peers.
Moreover, praise from an auteur like Todd Howard, who’s helmed some of the most iconic RPGs in the industry, is not to be scoffed at. Studios like Bethesda openly acknowledging the influence of Larian sets a great precedent for their own future games, as they can learn from the latter and imbibe their positive values into their own development process.
For gamers, this collaborative spirit translates into better games. As studios learn from and inspire each another, players benefit from a constant influx of fresh ideas and refined mechanics. Whether it’s the expansive choice-centric world of Baldur’s Gate 3, or the frantic bullet-fueled action of Helldivers 2, studios are constantly pushing boundaries and delivering innovative experiences.
While the specific ways in which Bethesda incorporates inspiration from BG3 remain to be seen, Howard’s praise will definitely uplift the mood of everyone at Larian Studios today.
