Baldur’s Gate 3’s Development Showcases Diverse Influences, Blending JRPG and Ultima Styles

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Creating games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2 requires a massive team, leading to a diverse range of influences that can be tough to pinpoint. When asked about the impact of certain genres on Larian Studios, Michael Douse, the publishing director, could only offer speculation.

In a Twitter exchange, a fan inquired whether JRPGs influence Larian’s work, referencing a post about Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined. Douse responded, “Many people involved. One of our combat guys is a big JRPG fan, for example, but I don’t know about Nick.”

He likely refers to Nick Pechenin, Larian’s head of design, who oversees project systems and ensures they operate smoothly. As a lead developer deeply involved in combat and exploration, his personal tastes would subtly influence the games.

Douse clarified that whatever influences the fan perceives aren’t coming from Swen Vincke, Larian’s founder and director of all their titles, who identifies more with the Ultima series.

When it comes to classic RPGs, Ultima stands out as a cornerstone of the genre, originating in the early ’80s from Richard Garriott. The legacy of these games is evident in Larian’s work, particularly in their focus on choice-driven narratives and open-world exploration.

That said, I can spot elements of the Japanese RPG style in the Original Sin games and the latest Baldur’s Gate, especially regarding the pacing and structure of their turn-based combat systems. I’m eager to see if this influence becomes more pronounced in the upcoming Divinity title. Perhaps Larian will blend European aesthetics with JRPG mechanics in a unique way. Either way, I’m all in for the journey ahead.

Baldur’s Gate 3 director Swen Vincke recently hinted that Larian’s next RPG, Divinity, “ends with a lot of fire” after a notable 19 roll for Persuasion.