In an insightful discussion following their multiple wins at the recent BAFTA Games Awards, Larian Studios has signaled that the acclaimed developers will begin transitioning away from Baldur’s Gate 3 after delivering official modding tools in an upcoming patch.
Swen Vincke, founder of Larian, framed the introduction of robust modding capabilities as an intentional “handover” moment – entrusting the game’s passionate community to keep Baldur’s Gate 3’s journey alive through user-created content.
“You will see the level of support diminished to really critical bug fixes,” Vincke stated regarding Larian’s post-modding patch plans. “We’re creative spirits also, we don’t want to keep doing the same thing. We really want to move forward and do new things.”
Those “new things” appear to be a pair of unannounced original games already in the works at the Larian studio. While offering few details, Vincke expressed excitement about finally being able to pursue self-owned IPs after bringing such incredible games as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin to life.
“We’re working on our new thing, we’re super excited about the new games,” he teased.
The move to step away from Baldur’s Gate 3 is certainly bittersweet for the studio after over four years of early access development and the runaway success of the D&D-based RPG. However, Vincke cited that extended early access period as potentially too long for sustaining player interest and creative momentum.
As such, Larian seems to view the hotly anticipated modding tools patch, currently slated for September, as the ideal transition point. Armed with official modding capabilities, the devoted Baldur’s Gate 3 community can effectively take the reins through endless custom campaigns, worlds, characters and more.
“We try and listen and do as much as we can, where we think it makes a lot of sense. So that I think was instrumental in BG3’s success,” said Vincke of the invaluable player feedback throughout early access.
Larian does plan some final official additions before modding tools arrive – such as new “evil” endings to the story campaign. But after September’s major update, Baldur’s Gate 3 will effectively be in the hands of its fans to shape the game’s future through mods.
For Larian, it marks a quintessential “third act” – leaving the juggernaut RPG they helped breathe new life into to flourish under its community’s ingenuity and passion. As for the acclaimed studio, they appear primed to enter an exciting new era crafting original games and worlds without any IP constraints.
Baldur’s Gate 3’s success has paved the way for Larian to spread its wings into uncharted creative territory. And if their track record is any indication, those new Larian-authored IPs could spawn remarkable new fantasy realms to explore when the developers eventually lift the lid.