Update 4/19
Despite the fact that many hoped Larian Studios would continue its work on the critically acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3, whether it was via DLC or a sequel, the developer announced last month that it would be moving on. During a talk at the Game Developers Conference, Larian CEO Swen Vincke confirmed that the team was not only done with Baldur’s Gate, but the entirety of the Dungeons & Dragons brand and setting, which is helmed by Hasbro. Now we know that D&D’s owner is already entertaining a Baldur’s Gate sequel without the team behind its latest hit.
Speaking to PC Gamer, Hasbro’s Eugene Evans stated that a number of teams have come forward to express interest in developing future titles in the series. “We’re now talking to lots of partners and being approached by a lot of partners who are embracing the challenge of, what does the future of the Baldur’s Gate franchise look like?” Evans doesn’t exactly answer questions like when we should expect a sequel, or what shape it will take, but does seem to all but assure that the company is aware of the astronomical success of Baldur’s Gate 3 and is keen to try and recapture that more quickly than it did the last time.
“So we certainly hope that it’s not another 25 years, as it was from Baldur’s Gate 2 to 3, before we answer that,” Evans continued. “But we’re going to take our time and find the right partner, the right approach, and the right product that could represent the future of Baldur’s Gate.”
The next Baldur’s Gate is a tall order for any studio making an attempt at it. The storied franchise, which has had its fair share of spinoffs, has primarily been worked on by two extremely accomplished RPG developers, Bioware and Larian. After a long time out of the limelight, Larian put the franchise back on the map with one of the most ambitious and intricately made games the industry has ever seen, which was no small feat. According to Larian, the game could only really afford to be so complex and large because of the studio’s unique position as a privately owned company, and because the game was developed in Early Access. This allowed Larian to build the fundamentals and react to feedback from fans without bending to meet the demands of unruly publishers that might’ve steered them away from Baldur’s Gate 3’s obviously winning formula. That method worked so well that Larian is likely to repeat it, even if BG3’s success likely means they don’t have to be as hesitant about their next project.
Of course, the next Baldur’s Gate doesn’t have to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. Now that the series has proven it can be a mainstream hit, Hasbro will likely greenlight development of a title or two, including some spinoffs, while it considers the best studio to make a proper follow-up to such an expansive RPG. But I guess we won’t know exactly what approach Hasbro takes until they start announcing projects. I’ve barely scratched the surface of the last one, so I should probably start budgeting my time now…
Update 3/23
Baldur's Gate 3 has sold over 15 million copies, Larian announced in a Gamespot podcast:
Source
New Endings & Cutscenes are coming in future updates:
Update 3/22
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.
Instead, Vincke said at the panel, Larian plans to move away from Dungeons & Dragons entirely and do something new, leaving the IP in Wizards of the Coast's hands.
It's a bit of a surprise, considering the massive success of Baldur's Gate 3, with many fans assuming that a DLC or expansion would be on the way. Larian has released several major free patches that have added, among other things, a playable epilogue party.
Developing story...
Also...
Also...
Hasbro Already Considering Next Baldur’s Gate Title Without Larian
The Baldur’s Gate 3 developers have moved on but Hasbro sure hasn’t
Despite the fact that many hoped Larian Studios would continue its work on the critically acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3, whether it was via DLC or a sequel, the developer announced last month that it would be moving on. During a talk at the Game Developers Conference, Larian CEO Swen Vincke confirmed that the team was not only done with Baldur’s Gate, but the entirety of the Dungeons & Dragons brand and setting, which is helmed by Hasbro. Now we know that D&D’s owner is already entertaining a Baldur’s Gate sequel without the team behind its latest hit.
Speaking to PC Gamer, Hasbro’s Eugene Evans stated that a number of teams have come forward to express interest in developing future titles in the series. “We’re now talking to lots of partners and being approached by a lot of partners who are embracing the challenge of, what does the future of the Baldur’s Gate franchise look like?” Evans doesn’t exactly answer questions like when we should expect a sequel, or what shape it will take, but does seem to all but assure that the company is aware of the astronomical success of Baldur’s Gate 3 and is keen to try and recapture that more quickly than it did the last time.
“So we certainly hope that it’s not another 25 years, as it was from Baldur’s Gate 2 to 3, before we answer that,” Evans continued. “But we’re going to take our time and find the right partner, the right approach, and the right product that could represent the future of Baldur’s Gate.”
The next Baldur’s Gate is a tall order for any studio making an attempt at it. The storied franchise, which has had its fair share of spinoffs, has primarily been worked on by two extremely accomplished RPG developers, Bioware and Larian. After a long time out of the limelight, Larian put the franchise back on the map with one of the most ambitious and intricately made games the industry has ever seen, which was no small feat. According to Larian, the game could only really afford to be so complex and large because of the studio’s unique position as a privately owned company, and because the game was developed in Early Access. This allowed Larian to build the fundamentals and react to feedback from fans without bending to meet the demands of unruly publishers that might’ve steered them away from Baldur’s Gate 3’s obviously winning formula. That method worked so well that Larian is likely to repeat it, even if BG3’s success likely means they don’t have to be as hesitant about their next project.
Of course, the next Baldur’s Gate doesn’t have to follow in the footsteps of its predecessors. Now that the series has proven it can be a mainstream hit, Hasbro will likely greenlight development of a title or two, including some spinoffs, while it considers the best studio to make a proper follow-up to such an expansive RPG. But I guess we won’t know exactly what approach Hasbro takes until they start announcing projects. I’ve barely scratched the surface of the last one, so I should probably start budgeting my time now…
Hasbro Already Considering Next Baldur’s Gate Title Without Larian
The Baldur’s Gate 3 developers have moved on but Hasbro sure hasn’t
kotaku.com
Update 3/23
Baldur's Gate 3 has sold over 15 million copies, Larian announced in a Gamespot podcast:
Swen: It's almost doubled DOS2 now, so it's doing really really well as DOS2 was very successful. So it did beyond what we expected.
Source
New Endings & Cutscenes are coming in future updates:
Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Larian Working on Additional Evil Endings, and 'They're Really Evil' - IGN
Larian Studios isn’t 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.”
www.ign.com
In an interview with IGN, Vincke teased additional campaign endings, saying that while players are “not going to see massive content changes,” the team is dedicated to delivering on the fan feedback they’ve received since launch. That includes some love for Baldur’s Gate 3’s more villainous players.
“So they're working on the evil endings right now,” he said. “I've seen some of them. They're really evil. So the evil players will be satisfied with that.”
Update 3/22
Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke - "Also - we’re not done with updating Bg3. There’s still a bunch of stuff coming like mod support and extra cinematics for some of the endings. Just not new content."
Larian Studios Won't Make Baldur's Gate 3 DLC, Expansions, or Baldur's Gate 4 - IGN
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.
www.ign.com
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.
Instead, Vincke said at the panel, Larian plans to move away from Dungeons & Dragons entirely and do something new, leaving the IP in Wizards of the Coast's hands.
It's a bit of a surprise, considering the massive success of Baldur's Gate 3, with many fans assuming that a DLC or expansion would be on the way. Larian has released several major free patches that have added, among other things, a playable epilogue party.
Developing story...
Also...
Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Is Working Toward An RPG That "Dwarfs" It
Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Is Working Toward An RPG That "Dwarfs" It
Larian has big plans for its future.
www.gamespot.com
Also...
Larian Started Work on Baldur's Gate 3 DLC, Then Canceled It: 'The Studio Was Elated'
Larian Started Work on Baldur's Gate 3 DLC, Then Canceled It: 'The Studio Was Elated' - IGN
After announcing that Larian Studios wouldn't be making Baldur's Gate 3 DLC, an expansion, or Baldur's Gate 4, director Swen Vincke revealed that Larian had actually begun work on planned downloadable content before ultimately deciding to cancel it because the team's heart wasn't in it.
www.ign.com
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