Larian's Next Divinity: Portable Magic, Switch 2 Whispers, and a Very Public AI U-Turn
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Larian, fresh off the *Baldur's Gate 3* hype, is 'certainly considering' bringing their next *Divinity* game to the fabled Switch 2 and Steam Deck, showcasing their love for portable gaming, while also revealing a swift and public pivot on their use of generative AI after community backlash – a true wizard's lesson in listening to your audience.
Right, so Larian. Those absolute wizards who conjured up *Baldur's Gate 3* and reminded everyone what a proper RPG epic feels like. They've been dropping little breadcrumbs about their next big thing, *Divinity* (the one they announced at The Game Awards, remember?), and as always, the gaming world is watching their every move like a hawk eyeing a particularly juicy goblin.
Now, a new Larian game is always cause for celebration, but what about where we can actually *play* it? This is where things get interesting, mate. During a recent Reddit AMA – because where else would you get the real dirt these days? – Larian's technical director, u/Bert_Larian, dropped a couple of delightful tidbits that have portable gaming enthusiasts doing a little happy jig. When quizzed about *Divinity* making its way to the fabled Switch 2 (which, let's be honest, is probably just a fancy code name for 'Nintendo's Next Big Thing™'), Bert's response was a wonderfully Larian-esque 'we will certainly consider' it.
Now, before you go casting 'Hype' on your nearest community forum, let's apply a sprinkle of Jeff's patented gentle skepticism. 'Certainly consider' isn't exactly a binding contract written in elven blood, is it? It's the kind of phrase that corporate PR departments polish to a high sheen. But, and this is a big 'but,' Larian has a damn good track record here. Bert himself pointed out that *Divinity: Original Sin 2* landed beautifully on the current Switch, proving they're not afraid to wrestle with the hardware limitations for the sake of getting their incredible worlds into your hands. And he outright said, 'We love the platform.' That, my friends, is as close to a wizard's promise as you're going to get without a full-blown incantation.
Think about it: the sheer joy of diving into a deep, sprawling Larian RPG – known for their intricate systems, vast dialogues, and endless possibilities – while you're commuting, or, dare I say, on the toilet. It's a kind of magic, isn't it? The thought of *Divinity* harnessing whatever new tech the Switch 2 brings to the table is genuinely exciting. Imagine those gorgeous, detailed environments and complex turn-based battles running smoothly on a handheld. It would be a monumental achievement and a massive win for Nintendo's next console, potentially giving it an early must-have title.
And the love for portability didn't stop there! The Steam Deck also got a shout-out. Remember how *Baldur's Gate 3* became an absolute beast on Valve's portable powerhouse? Bert, again, was enthusiastically on board, stating they'd 'do our best to again release on the platform.' This isn't just a courtesy nod; it's a testament to Larian's understanding of how gamers actually play. We're not always chained to our desktops, are we? We want our epic adventures wherever we damn well please. And for a studio of Larian's calibre to consistently support these portable platforms? That, mate, is a sign of a developer who gets it.
But let's be fair dinkum for a moment. Larian, like many a powerful wizard, occasionally casts a spell that backfires a little. And in this case, that backfire came in the form of their CEO, Swen Vincke's, earlier comments about using generative AI. You remember, don't you? It was just last month, shortly after the *Divinity* announcement, when Swen mentioned they were dabbling with AI to 'explore ideas, expand on internal presentations, develop concept art, and write placeholder text.' Sounds innocuous enough on the surface, right? A tool in the toolbox, perhaps.
Bloody hell, was it not! The internet, in its infinite wisdom and collective outrage, went absolutely bonkers. And frankly, for good reason. In an industry increasingly wary of anything that smacks of cutting corners, replacing human artistry, or devaluing creative roles, those comments landed with the grace of an angry owlbear. The fear, naturally, was that Larian, the very studio celebrated for its meticulous handcrafted worlds and deep, personal storytelling, might be heading down a slippery slope towards automated mediocrity.
Swen, credit where credit's due, didn't let the digital pitchforks gather for long. He swooped in with a very public and emphatic clarification: 'Holy **** guys we're not 'pushing hard' for or replacing concept artists with AI.' And then, crucially, he announced the very AMA we've been dissecting. Fast forward to that AMA, and the studio head cemented their pivot, openly stating that Larian had 'changed its stance on generative AI following the backlash.' Talk about a rapid course correction!
This whole kerfuffle is a fascinating snapshot of the broader gaming industry's wrestling match with AI. On one hand, the potential for AI to streamline mundane tasks, generate basic assets for prototyping, or even aid in writing placeholder dialogue (as Larian initially suggested) is undeniably attractive for developers. It's the digital equivalent of having a thousand extra hands for the grunt work, freeing up human talent for the truly creative heavy lifting. But on the other hand, the ethical minefield, the concerns about intellectual property, and the very real fear of job displacement for artists, writers, and designers are immense.
What Larian's swift retreat tells us is that player sentiment, particularly from a passionate fanbase like theirs, still holds immense power. It's a powerful reminder that while technology gallops forward, the core values of craftsmanship, authenticity, and human creativity remain paramount for many gamers. Larian built its reputation on delivering rich, immersive experiences born from the sweat and genius of its development teams, not algorithms. To even hint at a dilution of that ethos, even if unintentionally, was bound to ruffle feathers. Their willingness to listen and adapt, however, speaks volumes about their commitment to their community and their own high standards.
So, where does this leave us? Larian, riding high on the success of *Baldur's Gate 3*, continues to be a studio under the microscope – and rightly so. They've set an impossibly high bar for themselves and the industry. Their next *Divinity* title, whatever it fully entails, will be scrutinized with the same intensity. But the whispers of Switch 2 and Steam Deck support are genuinely encouraging, promising even wider access to their brand of deep, choice-driven RPGs. And the swift, humble reversal on the AI stance? That's a testament to a studio that, despite its magical powers, knows when to listen to its audience. It's a chaotic, exciting time in gaming, and Larian, for all their wizardry, reminds us that the human touch still reigns supreme.
What a journey, eh? From potential portable magic to a very public corporate pivot. Larian certainly knows how to keep us on our toes, like a mischievous imp changing the spell ingredients just for a laugh. But hey, that's half the fun of following these digital wizards, isn't it? Here's hoping *Divinity* casts a spell on us all, no matter which screen we're playing on.
This dive into Larian's latest musings was sparked by original reporting from Victoria Phillips Kennedy for Eurogamer, which you can find.
Tags: Larian Studios, Divinity, Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, Game Development
Original article: Eurogamer