Why No Baldur’s Gate 3 DLC? Larian Studios Calls It “Boring”
The critically acclaimed RPG Baldur's Gate 3 won hearts and minds in 2023, but fans longing for a DLC expansion may be disappointed. Larian Studios, the game's developer, has officially moved on after the massive Update 8 patch in April, and studio head Swen Vincke is shedding light on why they decided against creating paid DLC. The reason, according to Vincke? It was the "boring" option.
In an interview with GameSpot, Vincke explained that while a Baldur's Gate 3 DLC might seem like the obvious move after the game’s immense success, the team simply wasn't passionate about it. "It's boring, is really the honest answer," Vincke stated. He elaborated that Larian had considered DLC, but ultimately found "no passion" in the idea. "I mean happy player, happy business, but you also need a happy developer for a happy player. What we're doing now makes developers way more happy."
Vincke recalled the pressure to create DLC, acknowledging that many expected the studio to capitalize on Baldur's Gate 3's popularity with expansions. However, after careful consideration, Larian realized that pursuing DLC would be a deviation from their core values. "We heard it's what we were supposed to do, right? You've got a huge game, a huge hit, and you've gotta make DLC this and DLC that and DLC there... and money's gonna pile up all high! And we just nodded and said, 'Yeah we'll make DLCs'. And then the moment that we had some time to think, we realised, 'What are you doing?'."
So, what *is* Larian working on now? Vincke remains tight-lipped, but he did reveal that the studio is "deep in the trenches" of its "next big thing" – a "crazy ambitious" project that is "shaping up quite well." He also confirmed that a second project is in the works. These new projects allows Larian to explore new creative avenue, moving away from the path many expected them to take.
Vincke emphasized that Larian isn't trying to drastically increase its size, rather, they are figuring out how to efficiently divide developers across both projects. He went on to say, that making very complicated games, with lots of permutations and agency for players while predicting when those games are going to be finished is hard.
Larian's decision to forgo Baldur's Gate 3 DLC in favor of pursuing new, passion-driven projects is a bold move. It demonstrates the studio's commitment to developer happiness and creative freedom, even when faced with immense pressure to follow a more predictable path. Whether or not fans agree with the decision, it's clear that Larian is determined to forge its own unique path in the gaming industry.
What do you think about Larian's decision? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
