A Journey of Creativity: The Evolution of Larian Studios

Larian Studios has come a long way since its inception, creating a name for itself in the world of RPGs. The success of Baldur’s Gate 3 was not achieved overnight, but through the dedication and creativity of the studio’s passionate developers who believe in the power of storytelling and true freedom in Western RPGs. From the early days of Divinity to the realm of Dungeons & Dragons, Larian Studios has carved its path to glory.

The journey of Larian Studios is one of trials and triumphs. The independent studio faced canceled projects and near bankruptcy but refused to give up. They experimented with different genres, creating real-time strategy games, educational games for a Belgian children’s television station, and even a Diablo-inspired RPG called Divine Divinity. They also utilized Bethesda’s Gamebryo engine to bring their third-person RPG game, Divinity 2: Ego Draconis, to life.

This eclectic range of projects showcases the creative process of trial and error. Larian Studios proves that valuable lessons can be learned from the most unconventional places.

One notable turning point in Larian’s history was the decision to abandon their original vision for a cooperative RPG game called Ragnarok Unless. Instead, they worked on contracted projects for the Belgian government while exploring real-time strategy games. The result was “Wojny L.E.D.”, a game that introduced a different style to the real-time strategy genre dominated by Warcraft 2 and Starcraft. Despite the challenges, Larian managed to develop this game in just six months.

After the release of “Wojny L.E.D.”, Larian returned to their passion for RPGs with “Divine Divinity”. This game, along with its sequel “Beyond Divinity”, received critical acclaim for its deep quest system and character customization, positioning it as a worthy alternative to Diablo 2. However, it took time for the game to gain popularity among a wider RPG audience.

To sustain their creative endeavors, Larian even ventured into unexpected territories. They collaborated with the Belgian television provider VRT to develop an educational platformer called “KetnetKick”. This game, reminiscent of a simplified version of Super Mario 64, aimed to teach children fundamental math skills and other important concepts.

The experience gained from creating educational games allowed Larian to pursue their true passion for RPGs. This can be seen in the “Divinity” series, particularly in “Divinity 2”, where the game transitioned into fully 3D environments.

The release of “Divinity 2: Ego Draconis” marked Larian’s return to the Divinity series after a five-year hiatus. The game featured dynamic combat, a nerdy fantasy world, and iconic dragon-riding scenes. Larian utilized the same Gamebryo engine used in Starfield, developed by Bethesda.

While “Divinity 2” continued to expand, Larian divided its resources and created more educational games. “Monkey Labs” used the Gamebryo engine once again, employing the power of bananas to engage Belgian students aged 7 to 14 in learning. The sequel, “Monkey Tales”, gained attention in the gaming world when it was released on Steam in 2014.

In 2013, Larian unleashed “Divinity: Dragon Commander”, a game that combined RPG and real-time strategy elements. This unique blend, along with its charming tone and ties to fantasy RPGs, garnered praise from both critics and players.

Finally, Larian Studios reached the pinnacle of success with “Divinity: Original Sin” in 2014. This game introduced the studio’s signature style, featuring an open and fantastic world filled with humor and deep character customization. Its most notable feature was the easy two-player cooperative mode, allowing friends to embark on adventures together.

This evolution of Larian Studios showcases their commitment to creativity and determination in the face of challenges. With the release of Baldur’s Gate 3, their journey continues to captivate audiences and solidify their place in the RPG genre.

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