Larian Studios’ decision to scrap a playable Baldur’s Gate 3 DLC will leave fans in surprise. Director Swen Vincke revealed that the expansion was nearly complete. Despite its promising start, the studio decided to pivot away from the expansion.
Vincke mentioned that it was due to fatigue and a desire to move on to new projects. This is definitely going to be a heartbreaker for fans as well. But there is no doubt that all eyes will be on Larian’s next project.
The DLC For Baldur’s Gate 3 Was Already Playable Before it Got Scrapped
In an interview with PC Gamer, Vincke explained that the team at Larian was initially energized by the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 and quickly began work on the expansion. While the team initially thought they could make it in a year, this timeline soon expanded to three years.
It’s something that you all would have liked, I think. I’m sure, actually. And we actually went pretty fast, because the production machine was still warm. You could already play stuff.
Given that the studio had already spent six years on Baldur’s Gate 3, Vincke and his team were hesitant to dedicate such a substantial amount of time to an add-on. The idea of developing Baldur’s Gate 4 briefly surfaced, but the team soon recognized that it would entail the same issues they faced with the expansion.
The decision to move on from Baldur’s Gate 3 was not taken lightly. Vincke described the elation on his team’s faces when they decided to pursue new ventures, highlighting the importance of passion and excitement in their work. The studio’s commitment to innovation and pushing boundaries ultimately drove the decision to leave Baldur’s Gate behind.
Honestly, you really cannot explain or express it, how liberated we are. So morale is super high, just because we’re doing new stuff again.
The canceled DLC was initially meant to extend the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, which got numerous awards and a dedicated fanbase. The game launched during a competitive summer for RPGs, but it managed to stand out, even with titles like Diablo 4 and Starfield on the horizon.
So What’s Next For Larian and Baldur’s Gate?
Larian’s approach to game development emphasizes player agency and creativity. Vincke’s philosophy of “player first, always” has been a guiding principle for the studio. This mindset is evident in the design of Baldur’s Gate 3, where players have numerous ways to approach challenges and explore the game’s world.
The future for Larian Studios looks bright as the studio embarks on new projects. The team is spread across various locations, including Dublin, Ghent, Warsaw, and Barcelona, where they recently held a summit to discuss their next big adventure.
While the news of the canceled Baldur’s Gate 3 expansion is disappointing for fans, it also marks a new chapter for Larian Studios. The decision to pursue new projects rather than rehashing old ideas demonstrates the studio’s commitment to innovation and excellence.
Are you looking forward to what Larian has in store for us next? Let us know in the comments!
