Divinity: A Deep Dive into Larian’s Most Ambitious RPG to Date

The era of uncertainty is behind us. Larian Studios has firmly established itself as a powerhouse in the RPG scene, garnering respect and admiration that no fan of the genre would dare to dismiss. With this newfound acclaim, Larian is diving back into its own fantasy realm after the monumental success of Baldur’s Gate 3.

The upcoming RPG from this beloved developer is titled simply, Divinity. It’s being touted as their “biggest and most ambitious RPG yet,” set in the vibrant world of Rivellon, known from the Divinity: Original Sin series, where lizardmen reign as royalty and elves have a taste for the macabre.

Currently, there’s no release date or even a release year for Divinity, so don’t let any AI mislead you on that front.

What we do know is that Larian founder Swen Vincke mentioned in an interview following The Game Awards 2025 that Divinity is in full production, with the team already recording performances and dialogue with actors. However, this doesn’t imply that a release is just around the corner, as Vincke noted that recording will be ongoing throughout development.

So, can we make any educated guesses about the timeline? Surely we can narrow it down more than just a vague timeframe in the next decade.

Back in April 2025, about eight months before the announcement of Divinity, Vincke stated that the studio was “deep in the trenches” with this new project. He also hinted at a five-year plan, expressing hope that in five years he could share more about the game and its progress.

To give some context, the timeline for Baldur’s Gate 3’s release can help us gauge Larian’s pace:

The gap between the first trailer and the public release of BG3 was a mere 16 months. However, given that Divinity is the studio’s most ambitious project to date, it may take longer to reach the finish line.

We’re already familiar with Rivellon as Larian’s high fantasy backdrop from previous titles, but the specifics of the story remain a mystery. The reveal trailer showcased a man being burned alive in a massive wicker man during a bustling summer festival outside a medieval city, featuring a diverse crowd from Rivellon’s various races—humans, elves, dwarves, lizards, and orcs. Amidst the chaos of gluttony, lust, and ritual sacrifice, a giant corpse portal known as the Hellstone is summoned, embodying classic heroic fantasy themes.

One of our dedicated BG3 fans, Harvey Randall, speculated that Divinity might not be as grim as the initial trailer suggests, a sentiment echoed by Larian’s writing director Adam Smith in a post-awards interview:

“We’re not diving into a world of unrelenting darkness. There is light and hope. We want to challenge players with horror and then ask, ‘What will you do about it?'”

Vincke also pointed out that while Divinity: Original Sin 2 had its dark moments, the limited graphics and camera perspective meant players didn’t experience those moments as intimately.

“Now, with a cinematic approach, everything feels more direct and engaging,” he explained. “When you confront the darkness, it highlights the contrast, allowing you to be either the beacon of hope or the catalyst for chaos.”

With all that we know and some speculation, Larian has always been flexible with timelines, continuity, and even geography, so the story remains fluid. Divinity could serve as a reboot or a vibrant reintroduction to the setting for new fans drawn in by BG3.

Larian has clarified that Divinity is “a brand-new game that doesn’t require prior experience with earlier titles.” However, players familiar with Divinity: Original Sin and its sequel will find deeper connections and continuity.

This is typical for game developers, who rarely suggest that players should skip their latest offerings. It’s likely that Divinity will be akin to the leap Obsidian made from Pillars of Eternity to Avowed—familiar for those in the know, packed with Easter eggs but not requiring extensive background knowledge.

Larian has confirmed plans for an early access launch for Divinity. Despite initially being vague, Vincke later revealed that the game will enter early access, similar to their previous titles, but it’s unlikely to be available in 2026.

What we do know is that Divinity is an RPG, and it’s set to be larger—whether in scope or actual gameplay area—than Baldur’s Gate 3. It will feature turn-based combat, with Vincke stating that “It’s a new rule set, built on everything we’ve learned from our previous games.”

In the same interview, he mentioned that Divinity will offer “deeper sequences of consequence” based on player choices, aiming to provide even greater control over the adventure:

“The level of agency we’re aiming for is significantly higher than what was offered in BG3. This agency spans both narrative and systems, making it our most ambitious project yet. It’s the largest game we’ve ever created.”

Lastly, Larian has updated its game engine for Divinity. While this may not sound as thrilling as other announcements, Vincke assures that “There are many new capabilities we can explore that weren’t possible before, which will be really exciting. The gameplay—along with the enhanced visual fidelity—will be a highlight.”

Beyond what Vincke has shared, everything else remains speculative. However, we can draw parallels from Larian’s previous works, both Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2, to get a sense of what to expect from Divinity.

On a scale from ‘totally wholesome’ to ‘sex with a druid in bear form’, the cinematic trailer for Divinity lands somewhere around: summer festival public lizard orgy. Interpret that as you will.