Larian's Latest Trick: Divinity Trademarks, Denials, and the Accidental Reveal of a PS5 Definitive Edition
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Larian Studios stirred the pot with new *Divinity* trademarks, sparking *Original Sin 3* rumours, only for a Larian director to deny those plans while accidentally confirming a *Divinity: Original Sin 2* PS5 Definitive Edition. It’s a classic Larian move, leaving us wondering about their next big project in the *Divinity* universe post-*Baldur's Gate 3*.
Right, gather 'round, mates, because the digital tea leaves have been swirling, and bloody hell, Larian Studios has once again managed to pull off a classic bit of mischievous wizardry. Just when we thought we’d deciphered the ancient runes of The Game Awards hype, they went and changed the spell mid-cast. It’s like accidentally blowing a hole in reality and finding out it leads to a *slightly* different, but equally intriguing, dimension.
So, picture this: the gaming rumour mill, already running at 11, gets a fresh dollop of high-octane fuel. Someone — or rather, mp1st, bless their observant souls — spotted new trademarks for the *Divinity* franchise pop up in Europe. We’re talking a fresh *Divinity* logo and a couple of enigmatic icons. One of these icons, with its glowing orb and spindly, vaguely demonic leg design, bore a striking resemblance to that mysterious statue Geoff Keighley had been teasing in the Mojave Desert. You know, the one that had us all scratching our heads and wondering if we’d finally get an Elden Ring sequel with a turn-based combat system. (A man can dream, alright?)
Naturally, the internet did what the internet does best: it jumped. It didn’t just jump; it performed an Olympic-level, triple-somersault-with-a-twist jump straight to the conclusion that *Divinity: Original Sin 3* was about to drop like a mic at The Game Awards. And honestly? Who could blame us? Larian, fresh off the stratospheric success of *Baldur’s Gate 3*, returning to their beloved *Divinity* universe with a full-blown sequel? It felt like a prophecy being fulfilled, a digital destiny unfolding before our very eyes. The hype train wasn't just leaving the station; it was blasting through walls like the Kool-Aid Man with a particularly good quest log.
But then, as is often the case when dealing with master illusionists like Larian, the curtain twitched, and a slightly exasperated Michael Douse, Larian’s director of publishing, stepped partly through. His social media post landed like a gentle but firm slap across the face of rampant speculation: "There aren't currently any plans for a new Divinity: Original Sin 3 game but once we are ready to show what we've been working on we will 🙏."
Ah, the classic "not *this* specific thing, but *something* is definitely cooking" gambit. It’s a move so perfectly Larian, it almost hurts. It’s the gaming equivalent of a wizard telling you, "No, I'm not going to turn you into a newt *right now*, but I do have some interesting transfiguration experiments underway." You’re left wondering if you should be relieved or even more intrigued.
Now, here’s where it gets truly fascinating, mate. Douse’s reply wasn’t just a blanket denial. It was a reply to a leak about something *else* entirely: a PS5 Definitive Edition of *Divinity: Original Sin 2*. And in a glorious, charmingly chaotic moment, Douse confirmed the leak with a casual, "Hey we weren't meant to announce that yet." Classic Larian, eh? A masterclass in accidental reveals, confirming one thing while denying another, all while maintaining an aura of playful secrecy. It's like finding a hidden chest while trying to open a locked door, then accidentally telling everyone where both are.
So, what wizardry is afoot here? Do these mysterious *Divinity* trademarks relate to the *Original Sin 2* Definitive Edition? That seems a bit much for just an updated port, doesn't it? Or is Larian indeed working on a new game in the *Divinity* universe – just not a direct *Original Sin 3*? It’s a subtle but significant distinction, like the difference between a minor spell upgrade and a whole new school of magic.
Remember Larian founder and CEO Swen Vincke’s previous cryptic comments? He said their next game wouldn't be *Baldur's Gate 4*, nor would it be *Dungeons & Dragons* related. Instead, he promised something "still familiar enough, but different," with a "tone, style, way of doing it, are for us certainly new – and I think very appealing." That description fits a return to the broader *Divinity* universe beautifully. *Divine Divinity*, Larian's original entry back in 2002, kickstarted a sprawling fantasy world that's seen seven entries. There's plenty of room to explore without necessarily picking up where the 'Original Sin' saga left off.
Given Larian’s current golden touch – *Baldur’s Gate 3* didn’t just win Game of the Year; it redefined what we expect from a grand RPG – whatever they cook up next is going to be under immense scrutiny. And frankly, it’s worthy of a demonic statue (even if it turns out to be for a souped-up PS5 version of an already brilliant game, which, let’s be fair, is still pretty great).
My gut feeling? These trademarks are bigger than just a DOS2 re-release, but perhaps not as big as the immediate jump to *Original Sin 3*. Larian loves to play the long game, to plant seeds and watch them grow, sometimes in unexpected directions. They're probably brewing something entirely new *within* the rich tapestry of the *Divinity* lore. Something that leverages the IP without being a direct, numbered sequel to their previous masterpiece. It’s a clever way to re-engage with a beloved universe while still pushing their own creative boundaries, just as Vincke hinted. Whatever it is, you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be ambitious, player-centric, and probably make us all wonder how they managed it.
Original scoop conjured by Ed Nightingale at Eurogamer.
Source: Eurogamer
Tags: Larian Studios, Divinity, Gaming News, RPG, The Game Awards
Original article: Eurogamer