Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- Larian Studios is developing a new installment in their Divinity series, marking a return to their dark fantasy universe with the aim for a more expansive and player-driven experience.
- The new Divinity game will be focused purely on video game design, allowing Larian to tailor the game system specifically for video game play and further emphasize player freedom within a deeply tactical, turn-based structure.
- To achieve this level of player agency and narrative depth, Larian is transitioning to a new game engine, which will improve environment and zone streaming, as well as enhance cinematic storytelling.
- Divinity is expected to be released in early access, but the studio does not anticipate an early access release until after 2026, emphasizing their commitment to a thorough and well-developed final product.
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Larian Unveils New Divinity Installment: Return to Dark Fantasy Realms Amid AI Development Debate
Larian Studios, creators of the hit game Baldur’s Gate 3, has announced a new installment in its Divinity series. The announcement, made at last year’s Game Awards, signals a return to their dark fantasy universe with plans for a more expansive and player-driven experience. The announcement also sparked discussion regarding comments made by Larian founder Swen Vincke about the potential use of generative AI in the game’s development, which the studio later clarified.
Larian’s New Divinity: Unleashing Creativity Beyond Tabletop Bounds
In an interview with Bloomberg, Vincke discussed Larian’s goals for the new Divinity game. The studio aims to incorporate all its accumulated knowledge and experience to create a smoother, more cohesive RPG focused purely on video game design, unconstrained by external licenses. According to Vincke, while Larian initially considered continuing their collaboration with Wizards of the Coast on the Dungeons & Dragons universe after the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, they ultimately decided to return to Divinity. This decision grants them complete creative control over the game’s systems and universe. Vincke acknowledged that while Baldur’s Gate 3 achieved significant success, adapting tabletop RPG rules sometimes presented limitations. With Divinity, Larian can tailor the game system specifically for video game play, further emphasizing player freedom within a deeply tactical, turn-based structure. Larian plans to maintain its core identity, ensuring that each playthrough of Divinity feels unique through deeper emergent narratives and more impactful player choices.
Unleashing a New Era of Immersive Storytelling: Larian’s Game Engine Transition for Baldur’s Gate 3 Enhancements
To achieve this level of player agency and narrative depth, Larian is transitioning to a new game engine. Despite initial technical challenges, the studio believes this change is crucial for improved environment and zone streaming, as well as enhanced cinematic storytelling. Larian intends to build upon the strengths of Baldur’s Gate 3, further enhancing stage presence and immersion.
Aiming for a Shorter Production Time: Larian’s Ambitious Divinity Project Expands Creative Teams
Production on Divinity began last year, and Larian aims to complete the game in approximately three to four years—a shorter timeframe than the six years spent developing Baldur’s Gate 3. The studio attributes this ambitious goal, in part, to the absence of pandemic-related disruptions. Larian is simultaneously developing a wide range of interwoven storylines and quests, utilizing larger writing and scripting teams than ever before. Vincke emphasized that creativity requires time, and some ideas inevitably need extensive testing, refinement, or even complete removal.
Expanding Early Access for Divinity: Larian’s Ambitious Project Delays Release Beyond 2026
Larian intends to release Divinity in early access, a strategy they have employed previously, to refine game mechanics based on player feedback. However, Vincke stated that they do not anticipate an early access release until after 2026, emphasizing the studio’s commitment to a thorough and well-developed final product.
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| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Groove Coaster: Initial Initial Echo Ego |
| Brief Summary | Touhou Project music DLC for Groove CoasterTitle: Initial Initial Echo EgoArtist: RD-Sounds*Arrange from Touhou ShinreibyouDifficulty: Simple 2 / Normal 5 / Hard 8BPM: 156 |
| Genre | Music |
| Play Modes | Single player |