Larian Abandons Baldur's Gate 4: Here's Why

Larian Studios, creators of the 2023 Game of the Year, Baldur's Gate 3, have revealed details about a shelved project: a follow-up to BG3.

A Playable, but Abandoned, Sequel

In a PC Gamer interview, CEO Swen Vincke disclosed that a potential Baldur's Gate 4, already in a playable state, was abandoned. While acknowledging it was a project fans would have enjoyed, the team felt hesitant to dedicate more years to the D&D IP. The prospect of extensive revisions and a lengthy development cycle led to the decision to pursue original concepts.

A Shift in Focus and High Morale

The decision, made after discussions with the development teams, reflects a desire to create projects that genuinely excite the studio. Vincke emphasized the newfound freedom and high morale resulting from this shift. A planned BG3 expansion was also shelved for similar reasons. Larian is now concentrating on two unannounced projects, described as their most ambitious yet.

The Future: Beyond Baldur's Gate

With Larian stepping away from the D&D franchise for now, speculation turns to the Divinity series. While a Divinity: Original Sin 3 isn't in the works, Vincke confirmed a new entry in the series is "definitely on the horizon," promising something unexpected.

Meanwhile, Baldur's Gate 3 players can anticipate a major patch in Fall 2024, introducing mod support, cross-play, and new evil endings.