Baldur’s Gate 3 director Swen Vincke says Larian is “deep in the trenches” with its “crazy ambitious” new RPG, and that “I hope I can tell you 5 years from now” that “we cracked it”

With the eagerly anticipated launch of Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 now behind us, Larian Studios’ lead, Swen Vincke, has disclosed that the team is prioritizing “enhancing our next major project to the best of our abilities” – a new RPG he describes as “extraordinarily ambitious.”

The studio previously announced plans for two “highly ambitious RPGs” following Baldur’s Gate 3, including one known as codenamed Excalibur. However, further details regarding these enigmatic projects have yet to be disclosed. In a recent conversation with GameSpot, Vincke shared additional insights about the future now that Larian’s cherished 2023 RPG has concluded its extensive final update.

Vincke explained that the team is “immersed in the challenges” of developing its “next endeavor,” humorously noting how he is now “painfully reminded of the extensive work required to create a game or a large RPG.” Even though it’s a complex challenge, he labels the current project as “incredibly ambitious” and mentions it is “progressing quite positively” thus far. Regarding the subsequent title in development, Vincke admits managing two projects simultaneously is no easy task.

“We’re attempting to strategize how we can develop two games,” he remarked. The situation is further complicated by Larian’s commitment to delivering rich, player-centric experiences filled with intricate elements, making it “not the simplest feat, as we design complex games with numerous possibilities and extensive player agency.” Nevertheless, he wouldn’t choose to approach it differently, as an extended gap between projects could lead to difficulties.

“We find ourselves in a situation where we can develop multiple RPGs simultaneously, ensuring that team members don’t remain idle – this is mainly why we have embarked on several projects right now.”

This rationale is logical – particularly when reflecting on recent events such as the reported job cuts at BioWare after Dragon Age: The Veilguard as its creators faced a lack of tasks once Mass Effect 5 began its pre-production phase.

Although challenges lie ahead, Vincke is optimistic that Larian can successfully manage both RPGs – and potentially even a third afterward. “I hope I can tell you in five years, ‘We nailed it. We figured it out. Here’s our first game. We’re creating this entirely different concept for the second game, and by the time it’s ready, we’ll already have another project lined up.'”

If the studio “can achieve that in a truly enjoyable manner, that’s mission accomplished,” explains Vincke. “In reality, we may find it quite tough, and numerous aspects might go awry” – yet the leader remains hopeful that developers can tackle both new RPGs, with innovative concepts, and “execute them” effectively “without exhausting ourselves” in the process.

There may still be more to unveil for Baldur’s Gate 3, too, despite Vincke indicating that Larian wanted it to “conclude with a flourish” with Patch 8, as he hints that one should “never rule anything out.”

If not, however, Dungeons & Dragons enthusiasts need not fret – Hasbro is currently in discussions with many partners regarding the next Baldur’s Gate installment and also has another exciting new D&D game on the horizon that exists independently from the series.

Baldur’s Gate 3 “altered its design direction at least twice” after Larian initially pursued a “cartoony approach” with the RPG, “aligning more closely with what we observe in D&D literature”

After immersing herself in various fantastical worlds, Anna pursued English Literature and Medieval History at the University of Edinburgh, specializing in narrative design and video game journalism as a writer. She has contributed to numerous publications since completing her postgraduate studies, including Dexerto, Fanbyte, GameSpot, IGN, PCGamesN, and more. When she isn’t frantically stitching her words into cohesive narratives, she’s likely daydreaming about becoming a fairy druid and befriending every creature, or she’s spending countless hours exploring the Underdark in Baldur’s Gate 3. If you find her away from her computer, she’ll usually be clutching a fantasy novel, a handheld game console, and a couple of Tamagotchis.