Larian Studios, the force behind 2023’s critically acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3, is developing its next major project—and it’s not tied to Dungeons & Dragons. The Belgian studio has confirmed two new RPGs are in the works, both original IPs, with one codenamed Excalibur. Details remain scarce, but CEO Swen Vincke’s recent comments suggest a release window around 2028 or 2029, though he later clarified the timeline was speculative. With Baldur’s Gate 3 setting a new benchmark for the genre, Larian’s upcoming title could reshape the RPG landscape—or expose the risks of chasing perfection.
Vincke has been tight-lipped about specifics, admitting the team is still defining Excalibur’s identity. What’s clear is Larian’s intent to move beyond the Forgotten Realms, leveraging the technical and narrative prowess that earned BG3 a clean sweep of 2023’s Game of the Year awards. Reports indicate the studio is targeting enhanced cinematics—potentially surpassing BG3’s 174 hours of cutscenes—and exploring a shift toward real-time action. Vincke’s past remarks about embracing “action” hint at a possible hybrid combat system, blending turn-based roots with broader appeal.
The implications for the industry are significant. Baldur’s Gate 3 proved that sprawling, choice-driven RPGs can thrive without microtransactions or live-service crutches, a stance Vincke reinforced in a December 2024 Game Awards speech criticizing profit-first development. If Larian’s next project doubles down on this approach, it could challenge major players like BioWare and Bethesda to rethink their formulas. An original IP—potentially a sci-fi epic, given Vincke’s genre interests—might also spark a wave of high-budget, narrative-focused titles, countering the trend of homogenized sequels.
Technologically, Larian appears poised to push boundaries again. BG3 married CRPG depth with sandbox physics and cinematic flair; a pivot to action-heavy mechanics could influence how RPGs evolve into the 2030s, inspiring competitors to experiment with genre fusion. The studio’s early access model, a cornerstone of BG3’s success, might also gain traction among developers if Larian repeats the strategy, though it demands a patience rare in today’s rush-to-market climate.
Still, risks loom. Baldur’s Gate 3 raised expectations to a near-impossible height—17,000 ending variations and unmatched reactivity aren’t easily topped. A misstep with Excalibur could fuel skepticism about ambitious RPGs, emboldening studios to stick with safer bets. Larian’s extended development cycles—potentially seven years if the 2029 target holds—also test an industry increasingly fixated on rapid output.
For now, the focus is on 2028 or beyond. Larian’s track record suggests a calculated gamble, but the stakes are higher than ever. If successful, Excalibur could cement the studio as a pacesetter, driving a shift toward bolder, player-centric RPGs. If it falters, it might prove the exception doesn’t rewrite the rulebook. Either way, the industry’s watching.
Blastoid Games will keep you posted as more emerges on Larian’s next move.
