In the grand theater of video game development, Larian Studios used to be the beloved cult favorite that made brilliant CRPGs for a devoted few. Then Baldur's Gate 3 happened, and the studio became a full-blown industry powerhouse. Now, as 2026 rolls along, the question on every fan's lips is simple: what's next? The answer, unfortunately, is a shrug wrapped in a fancy cloak and possibly a bear costume. 🐻
Larian has already made it clear that it will not continue with Baldur's Gate or Dungeons & Dragons. That news landed like a critical miss for some fans, but it also opened the door to something new. Work on Larian's next game began after Baldur's Gate 3 launched. Development officially lifted off in July 2024 following a summit held by the developer. The studio has two games in the works at the same time. The next one out of the gate will be smaller in scale than Baldur's Gate 3. And no, there is still no release date.
The 'Back Here in Five Years' Incident
For a brief, beautiful moment, it looked like Larian CEO Swen Vincke had accidentally given everyone a clue. During an acceptance speech at the SEA Game Awards 2024, he said Larian needed to work hard so that 'we can be back here in five years.' Naturally, the internet did what the internet does: it grabbed a calculator, added five to 2024, and screamed '2029!' from the rooftops.
Vincke later backtracked in an interview with IGN. He stressed that his on-stage comment was a joke. Larian does not actually have any plans right now for its next game's release window. The joke was funny. The whiplash was not.
What We Actually Know
Here is the scoreboard, as of 2026:
| Topic | Status |
|---|---|
| Next Larian game | In development |
| Release date | Nope |
| Release window | Still nope |
| Scale | Smaller than Baldur's Gate 3 |
| Number of games in development | Two |
| Connection to Baldur's Gate or D&D | None |
| Likely early access | Very possible |
It is a classic Larian move. The studio is happy to talk about philosophy, ambition, and the joys of making weird RPGs, but it guards concrete dates like a dragon guards a hoard. Meanwhile, fans are left to speculate, replay Baldur's Gate 3, and romance the same companion for the twelfth time. No judgment. Okay, a little judgment. 😅
Why 2029 Is Not as Crazy as It Sounds
Vincke may have been joking about 2029, but the number is not pulled from thin air. Modern game development takes forever. Five years has become a standard timeline for big projects, and Baldur's Gate 3 took a whopping seven years to make from beginning to release. If Larian's next game is smaller, that might shorten things. Then again, smaller than Baldur's Gate 3 is still enormous. That game was smaller than a black hole, technically, but only barely.
Larian is also a big fan of early access. The studio used it successfully for Baldur's Gate 3, and it will likely go that route again. That means fans probably will not wait seven full years before they can play whatever Larian is cooking. They might get a rough, exciting, buggy slice of it much sooner. Or they might not. The studio is not rushing. Larian seems determined to release its next game when it is ready, not when a marketing calendar demands it.
The Waiting Game
So here we are in 2026. The calendar has flipped. The speculation has not stopped. Every awards show, every interview, and every cryptic tweet sends fans into detective mode. Did Vincke blink twice? Is that a clue? Is the next game set in space? Is it set in a bathtub? Is it secretly a dating sim about mind flayers? Nobody knows.
What fans do know is that Larian has earned a ridiculous amount of trust. Baldur's Gate 3 was not just a hit. It was a phenomenon that reminded players why they love role-playing games. If the studio needs time to make another banger, most fans will wait. They will grumble. They will meme. They will start another playthrough. But they will wait.
Whether the next game arrives in 2029, 2030, or some mysterious year beyond, Larian's message is clear: it will release when it is ready. In an industry obsessed with dates, delays, and quarterly reports, that is almost revolutionary. It is also deeply annoying for anyone who wants a trailer tomorrow. Both things can be true. 🎲
For now, the only confirmed release window is 'eventually.' And honestly, after Baldur's Gate 3, Larian has earned the right to be fashionably late.
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