A Shockingly Bad Pitch

In an interview with GamesRadar, Vincke admitted that Larian was under intense pressure as they attempted to craft a proposal that would capture the essence of Dungeons & Dragons—a franchise with a rich legacy. At the time, the studio was still deeply entrenched in the development of the critically acclaimed game, Divinity: Original Sin 2. This workload left them creatively drained, and the initial pitch to Wizards of the Coast fell flat.

"It was really bad," Vincke candidly reflected. "We didn’t have the brainpower to deal with it because we were busy with D:OS2. When we submitted the pitch, Wizards sent it back with what felt like the corporate equivalent of, ‘This is really s**t.’ We knew it was bad, and we asked for an extension to improve it."

Second Chances Lead to Success

Fortunately, Larian Studios rose to the challenge and delivered a much stronger follow-up pitch. This renewed effort successfully secured the green light for Baldur's Gate 3. The game’s early access release was not without its challenges, including complications stemming from a Google Stadia contract, but ultimately, these hurdles contributed to the game's evolution into a massive success.

Vincke recognized that Larian needed to break past what he described as a "glass ceiling" in the gaming industry, where they were viewed as a double-A studio. "To truly elevate ourselves, we needed triple-A production values, budgeting, and marketing," he noted. "It needed to feel like Ultima, Fallout, or Baldur’s Gate—there weren’t many comparable IPs left to explore."

What’s Next for Larian Studios?

As Larian Studios shifts focus toward its next project, details remain scarce. While fans raze questions about whether a return to the Divinity series is in the works or if the studio is developing something entirely new, one thing is clear—anticipation is at an all-time high.

Recent updates suggest that Larian’s forthcoming game isn’t expected to release until 2028 at the earliest, leaving fans eager to see what creative direction the studio decides to take. For now, Baldur’s Gate 3 stands as a testament to the resilience and innovation of Larian Studios, proving that even a disastrous beginning can lead to spectacular outcomes in the gaming realm.

Stay tuned for more updates as Larian continues to expand the world of video gaming!