Larian publishing chief aims to 'absolutely demolish' Steam with the studio's next release, and Michael Douse isn't pulling any punches. Following the monumental success of Baldur's Gate 3, the Larian publishing director has made his intentions clear regarding the studio's upcoming RPG, Divinity.
Bigger, Better, and More Complex Than BG3
Larian is working toward a sequel that doesn't just match its predecessor but surpasses it in every measurable metric. The studio intends for Divinity to be even more expansive than Baldur's Gate 3, pushing the boundaries of the RPG genre even further.
The team is focusing on several key areas to ensure this next title delivers a superior experience:
- Even larger-scale world designs.
- Deeper sequences of consequence for player decisions.
- More interesting and varied fail states.
- Enhanced character customization options.
- Natural and complex NPC relationships.
Why the Larian publishing chief aims to 'absolutely demolish' Steam
This bold ambition is rooted in the massive impact Baldur's Gate 3 had on Valve’s storefront. When the title entered early access in October 2020, it became an instant phenomenon that caused visible strain on Steam's infrastructure. The sheer volume of players caused the platform to tremble and wobble under the pressure.
While Larian boss Swen Vincke offered a tongue-in-cheek apology for the disruption, Michael Douse is not interested in apologizing. Sharing a report about Steam's difficulties during the BG3 launch on X, Douse expressed a desire for even greater impact next time.
"I hope we absolutely demolish it next time," Douse wrote, noting that he and the team even fact-checked the reports of Steam's struggles with Valve at the time. While his comments are likely a hyperbolic way to express hopes for massive commercial success, they certainly set a high bar for the studio's future.
When can we expect the Divinity release?
The road to this "demolition" may be a long one. Divinity was officially announced with a heavy-hitting trailer at the end of 2025, and while Larian plans to utilize an early access launch similar to BG3, no specific date has been set.
Looking at historical data, Baldur's Gate 3 moved from its initial reveal to early access in just 16 months. Based on that timeline, a 2027 release window feels like a realistic possibility, though the studio has yet to confirm any official development milestones.
