Baldur's Gate 4 Was Playable But Ultimately Abandoned by Larian

Larian Studios, creators of the 2023 Game of the Year, Baldur's Gate 3, have revealed intriguing details about a project they ultimately abandoned.

A Playable Baldur's Gate 3 Follow-Up—Then Shelved

BG3 DLC and BG4: Larian's Decision to Move On

In a recent interview with PC Gamer, Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke disclosed that a Baldur's Gate 3 sequel was in development, reaching a playable stage. While fans would have likely enjoyed it, Vincke admitted it wasn't quite up to their standards. The team, after years immersed in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, felt hesitant to commit to another lengthy development cycle. The question arose: "Do we really want to spend another three years on this, potentially needing ten iterations?"

The prospect of more years on a similar project proved unappealing. The studio prioritized pursuing original ideas.

High Morale at Larian Studios

Vincke emphasized the importance of working on projects that genuinely excite the team. Following their Game Awards 2023 success, the decision to forgo Baldur's Gate 4, along with a planned Baldur's Gate 3 expansion, was made. The result? Significantly improved team morale. Vincke described a feeling of liberation.

"I don't think, as developers, we ever felt better since we took that decision," he stated.

Senior product manager Tom Butler added that after a period of patching, the team would take a break before focusing on new endeavors. These new, currently unannounced projects, are anticipated to be Larian's most ambitious yet.

Prior to the Baldur's Gate series, Larian Studios developed the Divinity series. With the shift away from Dungeons & Dragons, a new Divinity entry seems likely. While a Divinity: Original Sin 3 has been hinted at, Vincke clarified that their next project in that franchise will be unexpected.

Baldur's Gate 3's final major patch, slated for Fall 2024, will introduce mod support, cross-play, and new evil endings.