BG3 Studio Hints You'll Play Divinity Sooner Than You Think

The reveal of Baldur’s Gate 3 follow-up Divinity might have been the biggest highlight of The Game Awards, but thinking about the wait for the game tempers the hype a bit. Larian Studios only showed cinematic footage for its next project, and based on Baldur’s Gate 3‘s development history, the game could be years and years away. Thankfully, the latest update from Larian suggests that the wait will be shorter.

In an interview with Bloomberg‘s Jason Schreier, Larian CEO Swen Vincke hinted at a shorter development cycle, saying, “I think three to four years is much healthier than six years.” He also noted Larian’s plan for an early access release. Nonetheless, the Bloomberg piece suggests that a 2026 window would likely be too optimistic.

Larian Studios Is Streamlining Divinity’s Production

And Yes, That Involves AI

Larian is attempting to streamline its production in a variety of ways, one of which isn’t likely to generate much excitement. The studio is now using generative AI tools for processes like ideation and concept art, although the content included in the final game will all be hand-crafted. Vincke, however, admits that AI hasn’t led to any major improvements in efficiency.

Larian’s workflow is also moving away from linearity, with teams working on Divinity story content “in parallel rather than in linear fashion” (Schreier’s wording, not Vincke’s). This time, the studio hopefully won’t have to worry about a pandemic disruption of the process, which should cut down on a major source of Baldur’s Gate 3 development slowdown.

Divinity Will Be A Welcome Return

A 2027 Release Window Would Be Great

Three massive effigies in front of a crowd in the trailer for Divinity.

Although 2026 might not be happening, the current timeline would suggest that a 2027 early access release could be in the cards. Larian pivoted away from a Baldur’s Gate 3 follow-up in early 2024, so the studio may have been working on Divinity for close to two years already. If it releases in early access after three full years of development, 2027 would be a lock.

What that early access will look like is another question entirely, as Baldur’s Gate 3 only provided Act One during its early access period. At any rate, Divinity is less likely to stick around for three years of early access before its full release.

Until then, there are always older Divinity games to revisit. The Original Sin titles might be what spring to mind today, but Divine Divinity, Beyond Divinity, Divinity 2, and Divinity: Dragon Commander all came before that. Larian’s been playing around in this universe for a long time, and I’m glad we won’t have to wait six years for its hopefully triumphant return.