Larian Studios Prepares for a New Venture

Larian Studios, the brains behind the visually stunning and critically acclaimed *Baldur's Gate 3*, is gearing up for an exciting new venture after the massive success of their latest RPG. With Patch 8 marking the final major update for *Baldur's Gate 3*, the studio is now focusing on its next title, expected to arrive sometime post-2028.

Engine Overhaul and Technical Improvements

As they transition into the pre-production phase, skilled engineers are already hard at work overhauling the studio's proprietary game engine. In the wake of the groundbreaking release of *Baldur's Gate 3*, these developers have successfully tackled several significant technical challenges, indicating that Larian is dedicated to creating a smoother gaming experience than before.

Say Goodbye to Vulkan: A Bold Move Towards DirectX 12!

During a recent discussion at Breda University of Applied Sciences, senior graphics programmer Wannes Vanderstappen shared groundbreaking news: The upcoming sequel will NOT be built on either the Vulkan or DirectX 11 platforms. Given that *Baldur's Gate 3* allowed players to choose between Vulkan and DirectX 11 for gameplay, it became clear that these options were not ideal, often causing more headaches than they solved.

Vanderstappen explained that the addition of DirectX 12 could have provided substantial performance improvements, especially for high-intensity titles, but it was not worth the gamble at this juncture. The team made the strategic decision to eliminate old rendering technologies to focus entirely on leveraging the capabilities of DirectX 12—a move they are confident will pay off in delivering a superior product.

"It’s already done. We’re finally rid of DirectX 11 and Vulkan—we don’t use them anymore," Vanderstappen confirmed.

Prepare for Stunning Visual Effects!

With a revamped game engine, Larian Studios is set to bring a host of cutting-edge graphic techniques to their upcoming title, setting the stage for a visually spectacular experience that surpasses its predecessors. For the first time in the studio's history, the engine team has been granted "pre-production time," enabling them to chart ambitious features like a full global illumination lighting system designed to create dynamic and realistic scenes.

Though it's still unclear if ray-tracing effects will be integrated, the goal is to utilize mesh shaders among other enhancements. Given the already impressive visuals of *Baldur's Gate 3*, this new project's graphic potential is generating significant buzz across the gaming community.

Get Ready for Excitement!

As Larian Studios shifts gears into this new phase of development, team members are reportedly "buzzing" with excitement for what lies ahead. Gamers can also look forward to dedicated modding efforts, aimed at bringing back cut content from *Baldur's Gate 3*, demonstrating the studio's commitment to community engagement and continuous improvement.

Stay tuned for further updates on Larian Studios' next project as they strive to set a new benchmark in the RPG genre!