After a series of enigmatic events, including a desert statue that captured the imagination of many and a trademark-filing hiccup, Larian Studios has officially revealed its next venture following the success of Baldur’s Gate 3. At The Game Awards, the studio announced a new entry in its beloved fantasy series, simply titled Divinity.
Unveiling a Darker Narrative
While details remain sparse regarding gameplay and a release timeline, industry veteran Geoff Keighley has characterized this upcoming title as Larian’s “biggest game ever,” suggesting it will surpass even Baldur’s Gate 3 in scope and ambition. The reveal included a pre-rendered trailer that showcased a notably darker tone than what fans have come to expect from Larian. The imagery was striking: a tortured figure engulfed in flames within a Wicker Man-like structure, surrounded by reveling villagers descending into chaotic celebration, all overseen by flagellants and a masked cultist during a celestial event.
Amidst the excitement, there was speculation about Larian’s direction. The name “Divinity” evokes a sense of a fresh start, yet it is unlikely that the studio intends to alienate its existing fanbase from Baldur’s Gate 3. Historical context suggests that this new installment may not be a hard reboot; rather, it could align with the narrative style of the Original Sin games. For instance, Divinity: Original Sin, released in 2014, took place millennia before the other titles, effectively rewriting significant elements of the series’ lore.
In a nod to the franchise’s timeline, Larian’s previous titles, including Divine Divinity from 2000 and Divinity 2: Ego Draconis from 2009, have laid the groundwork for a complex narrative tapestry. The acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin 2, which won accolades in 2017, further complicated character arcs and continuity, allowing players to alter the fate of key figures within the story. This playful disregard for strict continuity has become a hallmark of Larian’s approach, raising questions about whether the studio will continue this trend or strive for a more coherent narrative structure in the new title.
In a press release accompanying the trailer, Larian emphasized that Divinity is designed to be accessible to newcomers, while still rewarding those familiar with the previous games. The studio stated, “While Divinity is a brand new game that doesn’t require experience with previous Larian titles, those who’ve played Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2 will be able to enjoy greater understanding and continuity.”
This upcoming title marks a significant milestone as it is the first game in the series to be simply named “Divinity.” Larian’s publishing director, Michael Douse, confirmed that there are currently no plans for a new Divinity: Original Sin 3, a statement that aligns with Larian founder and CEO Swen Vincke’s insights. Vincke expressed enthusiasm about the new direction, stating, “Despite our long history with the series, this is our first game entitled ‘Divinity.’ We’re ready to bring everything we’ve done previously into one place. This marks the beginning of something with more breadth, depth, and intimacy than anything we’ve created before. We’ve been building toward this moment ever since we took our fate into our own hands. This is the Divinity we’ve always wanted to make and you’re going to have loads of fun with it.”
As anticipation builds, the release date remains a mystery, and it is yet to be determined whether Larian will adopt an early access model for this project. Vincke took to Twitter to share his excitement about the announcement, admitting, “I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous about an announcement as this one but here it is. This is our biggest, most ambitious RPG yet and we can’t wait to show it to you!!!”
