Swen Vincke

Baldur’s Gate 3 has been the biggest success story Larian Studios has seen to date, having enjoyed universal critical acclaim and impressive sales to match, but with its next steps, the developer is looking to head into uncharted territories. Larian founder and Baldur’s Gate 3 director Swen Vincke revealed last month that the studio’s next game wouldn’t be related to the Dungeons and Dragons IP, and the team has now provided further tidbits on where it’s headed next.

The Baldur's Gate 3 team has expressed a feeling of "closure" after the juggernaut game completed its victory lap. 

The developer behind the popular, award-winning and slightly bawdy Baldur's Gate 3 confirmed that it won't be doing Baldur's Gate 4 — but it does have other irons in the fire.

With the world of Dungeons & Dragons now officially behind it, Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian Studios has confirmed it currently has two new projects in development, both based on its own IPs, which studio founder Swen Vincke has described as «our best work ever.»

Hot off the heels of its BAFTA wins, developer Larian has given a little tease for Baldur's Gate 3's upcoming «improved» evil endings.

Baldur’s Gate 3 took the gaming world by storm in 2023. With a dense, resonant story populated by complex and lovable characters, frankly unbelievable player freedom, and a low barrier to entry whether you were familiar with the franchise or not, Larian Studios proved that there’s still a huge, hungry audience for the massive single-player adventure role-playing game.

Baldur's Gate 3 players who have modded their games are seeing references to a popular NPC character that suggests they were once set for full-on companion status.

Baldur's Gate 3 has completed its own Grand Slam of Game of the Year Awards with last night's win at the BAFTA ceremony, following its previous triumphs at The Game Awards, Golden Joystick, New York Game Awards, DICE Awards, NAVGTR Awards, Steam, GDC Awards, and our own Awards.

The 2024 BAFTA Games Awards have come and gone but didn’t leave without another round of wins for Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3. The Dungeons and Dragons RPG rolled away from the show with five wins (including Best Game) while other highlights saw solid wins for projects like Alan Wake 2, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, and Viewfinder.

Larian, the developer behind hit role-player Baldur's Gate 3, has said it will likely follow the same early access release model for its unannounced next project.

Baldur’s Gate 3 gets exceptional praise, winning multiple awards last year and selling “way over” 10 million copies (potentially even 15 million). However, it was also a calculated risk for Larian Studios, which grew exponentially over the years to accommodate the massive project. What would it have done if the RPG wasn’t a success?

Layoffs are sweeping the gaming industry and Ubisoft has announced more. Nearly 10,000 people were laid off last year as the industry started to shift in a different direction. Many companies are looking towards live service games to make the money necessary to survive and Ubisoft has been a part of this trend. Its Skull and Bones was released in February, and continues to capitalize on the live service concept. Regardless, it seems preventing layoffs was not possible.

No Rest for the Wicked, the Diablo-esque action RPG in the works at Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps studio Moon, won't be $70. CEO Thomas Mahler says the game's price point is down to the nature of the team, their shared stance on the rising price of games, and the notable lack of shareholders pawing at the company's books. 

Baldur's Gate 3 director Swen Vincke has revealed some surprising cut content that didn't make it into the final incarnation of the game, already one of the largest, most complete we've ever played. So, if you ever wondered which villains were once considered for companion status or which iconic locations from the series would ultimately not make the grade, read on. Vague spoilers for Baldur's Gate 3 to follow!

While the sad news that developer Larian Studios will not be working on a sequel or DLC for the breakout 2023 RPG Baldur's Gate 3 is true, additional evil endings are on the way and should help salve the wound. Add that to the previously announced mod support promised for PS5, and that's all she wrote for the revolutionary roleplaying experience, which we hailed as «one of the greatest RPGs of our time.»

Having had a few days to sit with the news that Larian Studios, creators of 2023's breakout RPG, Baldur's Gate 3, has scrapped plans for DLC and will not be developing the inevitable next game in the series, we can't help but feel the move was a deeply-baller one. Going out on the highest possible note, outdoing even BioWare's iconic earlier entries, it's time to move on for Larian, and we'll gladly follow. Parent company Hasbro, however, wasted no time, threatening still-in-shock audiences that more D&D games are on the way: «Watch this space.»

With layoffs and studio shutdowns becoming an almost weekly occurrence in the video game world, Larian Studios' CEO claims the developer is "good for quite a number of years."

Swen Vincke, head of Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian, has been vocal about the ongoing wave of layoffs in the games industry, and reckons that cuts affecting critical departments and senior developers are especially shortsighted. 

Swen Vincke, head of Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian Studios, is dreaming about a "very big RPG that will dwarf them all," but he wants to make sure there are a few things you know about it.

Baldur's Gate 3 featured a lot of absolutely epic moments throughout the course of its long and satisfying storyline, but as with any game, some great ideas were unfortunately cut in in the final version.

Evil Baldur's Gate 3 players, rejoice. It's been confirmed that developer Larian Studios is currently working on expanded "evil endings" for the beloved RPG, some of which are apparently "very evil." Juicy.

Larian Studios releases hotfix 23 for Baldur's Gate 3, which aims to continue improving the player's experience by addressing various bugs, crashes, and other oddities. It's been a bitter-sweet week for fans of the massively popular RPG, as Larian Studios boss Swen Vincke confirmed that Baldur's Gate 3 isn't getting any expansions, DLC, or even a sequel. The studio instead intends to move on to new projects, with many speculating that the popular Divinity series could be Larian's focus going forward.

Baldur's Gate 3 is a big game with a whole host of iconic areas from the Underdark to Moonrise Towers to the city itself, but it nearly had a few more. Larian Studios head Swen Vincke revealed in an interview that the team had to kill several "darlings" during development, such as githyanki queen Vlaakith's palace, the Gith Astral Plane, Candlekeep (where we start our adventure in the first Baldur's Gate), and Avernus.

The party composition in was almost even more chaotic before Larian Studios opted to keep a major Act 2 evildoer away from any kind of redemption. Throughout players' adventures through the Forgotten Realms, Tav can recruit an assortment of colorful companions to their side, each one bringing their own unique backstory and baggage that must be carefully handled. While the recruitable allies are all beloved in their own right, one villainous member may have been just a stretch too far.

Larian is moving away from Dungeons & Dragons and Baldur's Gate for its next project, but CEO Swen Vincke says the studio had made a start on Baldur's Gate 3 DLC and was even thinking about a proper sequel before the final decision was made.

At long last, Baldur's Gate 3's physical PC Deluxe Edition has begun making its way into fans' hands, and for anyone who loves filling their shelves with games, this one is an absolute beauty. Especially if you're someone who already owns boxed editions of other classic Dungeons & Dragons RPGs.

Baldur's Gate 3 boss Swen Vincke has revealed a number of ideas cut from the game during its development — including the ability to recruit a major antagonist as a companion character.

Baldur's Gate 3 Act 2 spoilers ahead.

Baldur's Gate 3 players have gotten really silly with mods since the game came out, including creating a number of mods that allow otherwise unplayable characters to join the party. But according to Larian Studios head Swen Vincke, a number of those characters may have been considered for inclusion as companions early in development, including one particular villain.

Larian's writing director is "so excited" for the studio's next game after Baldur's Gate 3.

Larian Studios head Swen Vincke has decided to set the record straight on their relationship with Wizards of the Coast in regards to Baldur’s Gate 3.

Following a few days of speculation after Larian boss Swen Vincke announced that the studio’s next game will not be Baldur’s Gate 4, he has clarified that the reason for this new direction was all about Larian wanting to take a new direction, and not because of changes at D&D owner Wizards of the Coast.

It’s been a rather interesting Game Developers Conference for Larian Studios, with the developer confirming that Baldur’s Gate 3 won’t receive DLC, expansions or a sequel. Instead, it has two new games in mind, including a “very big RPG” that will dwarf its 2023 magnum opus. Since it doesn’t have the tech yet, this won’t be the studio’s next game.

Larian confirmed earlier this week that it won't be working on Baldur's Gate 4, or any expansions for Baldur's Gate 3. Now, fans are wondering if its next game will be another entry in the Divinity series, perhaps even the long-awaited Divinity: Original Sin 3.

Baldur's Gate 3 is getting new endings, with director Swen Vincke describing them as "really evil".

Baldur’s Gate 3 game director Swen Vincke shocked fans of the Dungeons & Dragons RPG when he revealed that the critically acclaimed game would not get any expansions and that Larian Studios would not go right into making Baldur’s Gate 4. Considering how much of a runaway success Baldur’s Gate 3 has been, it seemed like that would be the most logical continuation of things. Larian isn’t the only studio to leave behind a wildly successful game either; Nintendo has confirmed The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom also won’t get any expansions.

Larian Studios has made headlines with its panel at GDC 2024, as founder Swen Vincke announced that Baldur’s Gate 3 wouldn’t receive any DLC, expansions or a sequel. He also revealed that the studio was working on DLC, which was cancelled due to not “really coming from the heart.” The acclaimed RPG is still a massive hit for Larian, with “way over” 10 million copies sold.

Larian Studios head Swen Vincke has confirmed that it's not Wizards of the Coast's fault that the team is moving on from Baldur's Gate and that it's simply something the studio wanted to do.

While developer Larian Studios has said that it has no plans for DLC or sequels for Baldur’s Gate 3, the studio has now revealed that it is still working on adding things to the game through updates. In an interview with IGN, studio boss Swen Vincke has revealed that the studio is currently working on bringing more evil endings to the game.

Baldur's Gate 3 director and Larian founder Swen Vincke has revealed that the studio is working on more endings for the game, teasing them as being «really evil.» Although Baldur's Gate 3 already has plenty of endings, having more possibilities in the game is always a welcome addition.

Larian Studios is officially finished with Baldur's Gate. Director Swen Vincke revealed the news at GDC, confirming that the studio has scrapped its DLC plans and won't be making Baldur's Gate 4. In a statement sent to IGN, a Hasbro spokesperson responded by calling Larian "an incredible partner," but offered little insight into what's coming next.

Swen Vincke, director of Baldur's Gate 3 and founder of developer Larian Studios, used the opportunity afforded by winning big at the Game Developer's Conference (GDC) to blame the industry's current state on rampant corporate greed, a sentiment we can get behind. Plenty of developers made their voices heard at the Independent Games Festival Awards and Games Developers Choice Awards (held as part of GDC). Still, Vincke directed his ire at a specific part of the industry: publishers, those companies that proliferate games and allow them to reach a wider audience, for a price.

You might have heard: while Larian isn't done with updating Baldur's Gate 3, the studio's next game won't be Baldur's Gate 4 or anything to do with D&D.

Larian Studios may not be working on full-fledged Baldur’s Gate 3 DLC, but there are at least more evil endings on the way – and founder Swen Vincke says “they’re really evil.”

Baldur's Gate 3's developer was working on DLC, and then scrapped it because it felt more obligatory than an actual passion.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a mind-bogglingly massive game in more ways than one, but developer Larian Studios’ sights are already set on a project that it believes is going to dwarf even the mega-successful 2023 RPG.

Larian Studios won't be making any expansions for Baldur's Gate 3, but the developer isn't quite done with the game yet.

Larian Studios isn't planning on making full-fat Baldur's Gate 3 DLC or a sequel, but that doesn't mean the hit D&D RPG is getting totally abandoned.

At GDC 2024, Larian Studios founder and Baldur’s Gate 3 director Swen Vincke announced that it wasn’t planning any DLC or expansions for the critically acclaimed RPG. It even ruled out a potential Baldur’s Gate 4 in favor of something new.

Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke recently revealed that the studio isn’t planning any expansions or DLC for Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s also not working on a potential Baldur’s Gate 4.

Swen Vincke, director of Baldur's Gate 3, has spoken out about the mass layoffs that have been hitting the gaming industry, citing corporate greed as the ultimate culprit. Baldur's Gate 3 was one of the most successful releases of last year, and the game's director had some strong words for the industry.

An early version of one of Baldur's Gate 3's most well-known characters, Astarion, has been shared by Larian Studios' founder Swen Vincke at the Game Developers Conference. GDC 2024 is currently underway in San Francisco, and game developers across the industry are gathering and discussing their experiences making the games millions of gamers have enjoyed over the past year, including Baldur's Gate 3.

We now know that Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian Studios is closing the book on Dungeons & Dragons, with no plans to return for an expansion or sequel. Studio head Swen Vincke knows what's coming next, and it's a step toward a plan he's been concocting for years to make what sounds like the ultimate RPG.

During a talk at GDC 2024, Baldur's Gate 3 director Swen Vincke announced that Larian Studios would not be making any DLC, expansions or sequels for the highly-regarded RPG, which took home another Game of the Year award at Wednesday's Game Developers Choice Awards. However, speaking with IGN, Vincke did say that Larian began work on DLC and even gave some thought to a potential Baldur's Gate 4 before pivoting away to other projects.

Baldur’s Gate 3 director Swen Vincke has had some time to reflect on Larian Studios’ Google Stadia deal, and he thinks it was “really stupid.”

Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke dropped the bombshell today that the developer doesn't plan on releasing any Baldur's Gate 3 expansions or DLC, nor a Baldur's Gate 4, but he also made the point that there's already a lot of content in their Game of the Year-winning RPG.

Now that Baldur’s Gate 3 has been a huge success both critically and financially, people are looking forward to what’s next for developer Larian Studios. However, according to studio founder Swen Vincke, the future doesn’t lie with the Baldur’s Gatefranchise or Dungeons & Dragons as a whole.

Larian Studios head Swen Vincke has revealed that Baldur's Gate 3 was originally going to have a much-needed "big moment" for Wyll that took place at a war college.

Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke has shared an early look at every Baldur’s Gate 3 fan’s favorite vampire Astarion, and it looks like a lot has changed since the early days of his creation.

At a Game Developers Conference (GDC) panel today, Larian Studios founder Swen Vincke dropped something of a bombshell by revealing that the developer isn't planning to release any expansions or DLC for Baldur's Gate 3, nor a Baldur's Gate 4.

Larian Studios head Swen Vincke has revealed that the team wanted to have multiple dungeon masters in Baldur's Gate 3, with Matthew Mercer even considered at one point.

Hasbro's head of game studios Dan Ayoub says that Baldur's Gate 3 has proven that there's an appetite for more Dungeons & Dragons games, and that the company, which owns Wizards of the Coast and by extension D&D, is pushing for just that.

Baldur’s Gate 3 was the big winner at the 24th annual Game Developers Choice Awards.

If the words of Baldur’s Gate 3 director Swen Vincke are anything to go by, the award-winning RPG could soon get some sort of crossover with Vampire Survivors. Given that both games are rooted in fantasy, a crossover between the two would make sense.

Larian Studios is planning to open a new company branch in Poland, according to a recent report. The purported expansion could be a result of the incredible success of Baldur's Gate 3, which propelled Larian Studios to new heights following its August 2023 release.

Let’s rewind the clocks back a year, okay? 2023 was a hyped year for gaming because we KNEW there would be big titles released within it across multiple consoles and PCs. Whether it was going through a “modified” version of Hyrule, going to a field of stars, or cutting up zombies as a next-gen version of Leon S. Kennedy, gamers would have plenty to do. However, despite being in Early Access for years, Baldur’s Gate 3 became the title that everyone was talking about almost out of nowhere. It was the game that had gamers wanting more and having them do all sorts of playthroughs just to try and do things differently.

Baldur's Gate 3 is a bright spot in an altogether down financial report from Wizards of the Coast owner Hasbro, which says Larian's "mega hit" RPG, having driven around $90 million in revenue in the last year, is a good sign for more video games to come from the D&D license. 

Baldur's Gate 3 is now in the top 20 of Steam's best-reviewed games of all time, alongside other standouts like Stardew Valley and Hollow Knight.

Sign up for the GI Daily here to get the biggest news straight to your inbox

The Baldur's Gate 3 creative director, Swen Vincke, stated that acquiring good video game content might be more challenging if subscriptions become the dominant model in the industry. The Baldur's Gate 3 creative director's comments were in response to recent statements from a Ubisoft executive who suggested that gamers may need to adjust to not owning their games as video game subscriptions gain popularity.

The makers of Baldur’s Gate 3 have made it pretty clear that the game won’t be coming to subscription services like Xbox Game Pass any time soon, saying they believe the amount they charge for the game is fair. Now in a new statement responding to Ubisoft saying we should get used to no longer owning games, Larian boss Swen Vincke has gone a step further.

Over the last decade or so, the entertainment industry has seen many rises and falls across all brands. These changes have affected music, TV, movies, and even video games. Things “for sure never going to fail” started to fail. Then, things that “could never work” have done well and made many wonder if things could go further down that path. One such path is that of the “game subscription service,” which was punctuated by the Xbox Game Pass, which has done wonders for Microsoft. However, Larian Studios isn’t on board with this notion, nor with notions of such services made by fellow game developers.

The director of Baldur's Gate 3 has discussed the possibility of their games heading to subscription services, sharing: "Direct from developer to players is the way."

With the debate around the future of video game subscriptions heating up, one high-profile developer has come out strongly on the side of the traditional method of selling games.

Baldur’s Gate 3 players on Xbox have been dealing with a major bug that’s causing lost save files, but a fix is expected for next week, according to Larian Studios. The developer posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday to reassure fans that Microsoft’s firmware update should address the save file bug when it’s released on Jan. 16.

Baldur’s Gate 3 developer Larian Studios has said Microsoft plans to release a firmware update to fix the pesky save bug that has plagued the game’s release on Xbox.

Microsoft has reportedly uncovered the cause of an issue that can result in Baldur’s Gate 3 saves being lost on Xbox Series X/S.

Microsoft has suggested Xbox players turn off auto-upload when “sensitive content” is being captured after some Baldur’s Gate 3 players were banned after captured sex scenes were automatically uploaded to the Xbox network.

Acts! It used to be just those old-timey theatre productions that had them, but as in many respects, videogames have nipped through a stage exit and stolen theatre's underpants. One act isn't the same as another, however: take the third act of Baldur's Gate 3, which many players feel isn't a patch, or indeed a hotfix changelog, on the thunderously well-received RPG's first two acts. According to senior RPG designer Anna Guxens, Larian have been following the reaction and are thinking about how they can handle act three's "drastic" tone shift better in future releases. It's a timely observation, because in separate news, Larian's CEO Swen Vincke has posted that he's "figured out" the first act of Larian's next unannounced project.