Larian Studios Promises Their Next Game Will Be Massive, But It Requires More Development Time

Exciting Developments from Larian Studios: Holiday Greetings and Game Teaser

Larian Studios recently shared a festive Christmas video with its vibrant community of fans. This heartwarming message features greetings from team members located in their various global offices including Kuala Lumpur, Warsaw, Ghent (the main headquarters), Barcelona, Guildford, Dublin, and Quebec.

Teasing the Future: A Sneak Peek at the Next Game

Senior Communications Developer Aoife Wilson takes center stage in the video as she hints at an exciting surprise. She presents a well-wrapped gift labeled ‘Larian’s Next Game’ but is quickly interrupted by Larian’s CEO, Swen Vincke, who playfully intervenes. With humor, he states:

Oh no, you don’t! No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Sorry, sorry about that. No, this thing, it needs a lot more time in the oven. By the time it’s going to be finished, it’s going to be so big! For the time being you’re going to have to wait.

Current Projects and Development Timelines

Unexpectedly, Larian is already teasing their next project, despite the recent release of Baldur’s Gate 3 in August 2023. Just a few months ago, they announced no plans for downloadable content (DLC) or sequels, raising questions about future developments. Vincke previously indicated that the studio’s next title could potentially be released as late as 2029, although he later clarified that this comment was more of a casual remark rather than a concrete timeline.

The extensive timeline needed for game development is clear. Baldur’s Gate 3, for instance, was unveiled ahead of E3 2019 and only became fully available over four years later. This suggests that Larian is committed to delivering another expansive and immersive gaming experience, as seen with their iterative development process and growing AAA game production timelines.

Looking Ahead: Early Access Speculation and Upcoming Updates

This early announcement could hint that Larian’s forthcoming project may follow a path similar to their previous titles by entering early access. While this approach does not necessarily accelerate the full release, it offers players a chance to engage with an alpha version of the game within the next two to three years.

Meanwhile, fans are encouraged to remain patient. To keep enthusiasts entertained, Larian has introduced an Advent Calendar web game for the holiday season. Additionally, Baldur’s Gate 3 fans can look forward to a major update scheduled for next year, which will introduce cross-play for cooperative multiplayer, a built-in Photo Mode, and twelve new subclasses to the critically acclaimed cRPG.

As the anticipation builds for Larian’s next project, the gaming community is reminded to stay tuned for further updates.

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