Larian Studios
Larian Studios business and news from across the web.
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What will another Obsidian Fallout game even look like all these years on? Here's my attempt to read the radioactive tea leaves
Following reports of Obsidian Entertainment being redirected to work on a new Fallout game, this article speculates on what such a title might look like. It considers how the studio could innovate within the series, potentially by exploring new settings and gameplay mechanics, while acknowledging the influence of the recent Fallout TV show and other modern RPGs.
The games industry reacts to Xbox layoffs: 'We are clearly at a turning point'
Microsoft's Xbox division has announced significant layoffs, impacting approximately 3,200 employees and leading to the closure or restructuring of four game studios. This move has drawn widespread reactions from industry figures, expressing shock, sorrow, and anger, with many calling it a turning point for the game industry. The layoffs occur amidst Microsoft's continued investment in artificial intelligence, a decision that has drawn criticism for its perceived prioritization over game development talent.
Hideo Kojima is "really sad" about PlayStation ending physical disc production, warns against "frightening" streaming-only future: "You don't actually possess the data yourself"
Hideo Kojima expressed sadness and concern over Sony's decision to end new PlayStation physical disc production in 2028, warning of a "frightening" future dominated by streaming-only access. He highlighted concerns about data ownership and the potential loss of access to games and movies if servers are ever shut down or content is removed. Other developers, like Larian Studios, have also voiced disappointment with the move.
Hasbro should stop looking for a Baldur's Gate 4 studio and take a leaf out of Larian's book by trying…
This opinion piece argues that Hasbro should not pursue a Baldur's Gate 4 and instead take inspiration from Larian Studios' approach to game development. The author suggests that the immense success and unique development path of Baldur's Gate 3 make it nearly impossible for any studio to replicate its quality or meet player expectations for a sequel. Instead, Hasbro should focus on nurturing talent and developing new IPs within the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse.
I love Baldur's Gate 3's queer representation, but triple-A games can still do so much more to explore lesbian stories with the depth they deserve
This article discusses the queer representation in Baldur's Gate 3, particularly focusing on lesbian stories and the limited options available in mainstream AAA games. While praising Baldur's Gate 3 for its characters like Shadowheart and the Isobel/Aylin romance, the author argues that games often fail to cater to a specific lesbian gaze, assuming lesbian sexuality aligns with heteronormative dynamics. The piece calls for more diverse and nuanced lesbian narratives in games, from indie titles to major blockbusters.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Marathon director Joe Ziegler leaves Bungie
This article rounds up recent hires and departures within the games industry for July 2026. Notable moves include Joe Ziegler leaving Bungie's Marathon team, Chris Chung joining Neowiz, and Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games. Several other companies announced new appointments across marketing, production, and business development roles.
Jobs roundup: July 2026 | Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group
Several key personnel changes have occurred across the gaming industry. Chris Chung joins Neowiz as head of global business group, Dylan Beale is the new studio head at Larian Guildford, and Jonnie Bryant becomes communications director at Team17. Other notable moves include Robert Henrysson stepping down as CEO of Supermassive Games and Nicholas Penwarden departing Epic Games after 15 years.
"Long live physical media": Devs and publishers of Baldur's Gate 3, Silksong, and more call Sony's decision to end physical PlayStation games "genuinely heartbreaking"
Sony's decision to cease production of physical PlayStation game discs starting in 2028 has been met with dismay from developers and publishers. Many express sadness and a loss of desire to develop for the platform, citing the importance of physical media for preservation, collector value, and the joy it brings to players. Companies like Larian Studios, Lost in Cult, and Fangamer are particularly vocal about the impact on their work and their commitment to physical releases.
Baldur's Gate 2-veteran tackade nej till att göra Baldur's Gate 4
James Ohlen, a veteran designer of Baldur's Gate 2, declined an offer from Hasbro to lead the development of Baldur's Gate 4. Ohlen cited concerns about failing to meet the high standards set by Baldur's Gate 3 and the significant time investment required for engine development. Larian Studios, the developer of Baldur's Gate 3, also chose to pursue their own original projects instead of a direct sequel.
Ground Branch, a first-person tactical shooter from an original Rainbow Six dev, is finally hitting v1.0 after eight years in early access
Ground Branch, a realistic tactical shooter developed by BlackFoot Studios, is launching its version 1.0 after eight years in Early Access on July 16. The full release will include the long-awaited campaign, a new prologue, and an extraction mode. The developers plan to continue adding content post-launch, including single-player chapters and a mod kit.
Baldur's Gate 4 could've been headed by a Baldur's Gate 2 veteran, but the RPG legend "wouldn't want to compete" against Larian: "That would be insanity"
James Ohlen, director of writing and design for Baldur's Gate 2, revealed that Hasbro approached him about developing Baldur's Gate 4. However, Ohlen declined, stating he would not want to compete with the success of Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 and its proprietary engine. He believes a new entry would need to be highly original to succeed, acknowledging Larian's mastery in the RPG genre.
"I would fail, and here's why I would fail" Why Baldur's Gate 2 co-lead turned down Hasbro's request to make Baldur's Gate 4
James Ohlen, co-lead designer of Baldur's Gate 2 and lead at Archetype Entertainment, declined Hasbro's request to develop Baldur's Gate 4. Ohlen cited the immense success of Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 and the technical challenges of replicating its engine and tools as reasons for his refusal, preferring to focus on his studio's upcoming game, Exodus.
12 Games Like Baldur's Gate 3 (Organized by What You Actually Loved) | TAG
This guide recommends games similar to Baldur's Gate 3, organized by what players enjoyed most, such as companions, tactical combat, or co-op. It highlights titles like Disco Elysium for narrative fans, Divinity: Original Sin 2 for tactical depth and co-op, and It Takes Two for pure cooperative experiences. Larian Studios is confirmed to be working on a new Divinity game, with a Baldur's Gate 3 TV series also in development.
"We're talking about at least half a decade of horror": former Exodus lead explains why he wasn't keen on doing a Baldur's Gate 4 despite Hasbro offering the chance
Former Archetype Entertainment studio head James Ohlen explained his reluctance to develop Baldur's Gate 4, citing the immense pressure to match Larian Studios' success with Baldur's Gate 3. Ohlen stated that building the necessary tools and infrastructure from scratch would take at least five years and expressed concerns about competing with the high standard set by the previous game. He has since left Archetype due to burnout.
The Co-Lead Designer of Baldur's Gate 2 Turned Baldur's Gate 4 Down and I Don't Blame Him — Baldur's Gate 3 Is Pretty Much Impossible to Follow
The co-lead designer of Baldur's Gate 2 has declined to work on Baldur's Gate 4, citing the immense success and high bar set by Baldur's Gate 3. This decision challenges the conventional industry practice of immediately greenlighting sequels to profitable titles, suggesting that Baldur's Gate 3's achievements make a direct follow-up exceptionally difficult.
Games Inbox: Will the PS6 really cost £1,000?
Readers discuss concerns about the potential high price of the PlayStation 6, with some predicting it could exceed £1,000. The discussion touches on the rising costs of game development, the shift towards digital-only releases, and whether next-generation consoles offer enough compelling new features to justify such an expense.
Quoteworthy
The co-lead designer of Baldur's Gate 2 was reportedly asked to develop Baldur's Gate 4, but declined the offer. They stated that competing against Larian Studios' highly successful Baldur's Gate 3 would be an insurmountable challenge.
Baldur's Gate 2's co-lead designer was asked to make Baldur's Gate 4 after Larian declined: 'Having to compete against Baldur's Gate 3? That would be insanity'
Following the success of Baldur's Gate 3, Hasbro sought a sequel, but Larian Studios declined to develop Baldur's Gate 4, despite having a partially playable build. Co-lead designer of Baldur's Gate 2, James Ohlen, was also approached but refused, citing the difficulty of competing with Larian's acclaimed title and the significant effort required to build a new engine. A remaster of Baldur's Gate 2 is reportedly in development, with former BG2 lead designer Kevin Martens involved.
I picked out 31 must-play games going for $5 or less in the Steam Summer Sale
This article highlights 31 must-play games available for $5 or less during the Steam Summer Sale. The curated list includes a variety of genres such as RPGs and first-person shooters, with many titles developed by well-known studios like Larian and BioWare.
"Baldur's Gate 3 seems to have done it pretty well," but don't expect Obsidian's next story-based RPG to launch in early access, Grounded 2 lead suggests
Obsidian Entertainment's Grounded 2 director Chris Parker stated that while Baldur's Gate 3's early access success is notable, it's not a model that will work for all story-based RPGs. He believes that for large, complex narrative games, the traditional development approach is more suitable, though he acknowledges exceptions exist and that early access can be beneficial for certain titles like the original Grounded.
