Baldur's Gate 3 Developer Hints at Timeline for Next Game Release

Fans of Baldur's Gate 3 might have to wait until around 2028 or 2029 for Larian Studios' next game. Released in 2023, Baldur's Gate 3 rapidly ascended to become one of the most acclaimed RPGs ever, drawing comparisons to iconic titles like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The game also achieved significant success at The Game Awards 2023, securing six accolades, including Game of the Year.

Larian Studios employs a distinctive approach to game development, with multiple studios spread across the globe in locations such as Barcelona, Warsaw, Quebec, and Kuala Lumpur. This global strategy allows work to transition seamlessly to the next studio in the next time zone at the end of each workday, enabling projects to progress around the clock. Consequently, tasks that would typically take a month can be completed in about a week, helping the team avoid the notorious crunch period.

During the SEA Game Awards 2024 in Malaysia, Larian Studios' CEO, Swen Vincke, accepted a Special Recognition Award. While on stage, he humorously suggested that their next major game would not be ready for five years, hinting at a 2029 release. However, in a conversation with IGN right after the event, Vincke clarified that his comment was made in jest. "We'll release it when it's ready. They're big games and it takes time, so don’t hold us to a date," he explained.

Larian's Next Game Could Take Time

Considering that Baldur's Gate 3 took six years to develop, with the last three years spent in early access, Vincke's quip about a 2029 release doesn't seem too far-fetched. That said, it’s notable that the studio managed to bring Baldur's Gate 3 to a playable early access state in just three years.

If Larian's next project is indeed five or six years away, fans might have the opportunity to get a taste of it before 2029 or 2030. Additionally, the recent opening of a new studio in Warsaw, Poland, could potentially help reduce the wait time for the upcoming title.

As for the specific projects Larian Studios is currently developing, Vincke has confirmed that the studio is moving beyond Baldur's Gate. They have multiple projects in the pipeline, including at least one that is a brand-new intellectual property (IP). However, fans may have to wait several years to discover what exciting ventures the renowned studio has in store. For those hoping for Baldur's Gate 4, the wait could be even longer, as it appears the project currently lacks a developer.