Larian Studios‘ Epic Journey to Redemption: The Inside Story
In an industry where studios come and go, Larian Studios‘ journey stands out as one of gaming‘s great redemption stories. I was enthralled to watch it unfold in real time as a passionate RPG fan. Even in their struggles, you could feel their talent and vision bursting at the seams for a breakout hit. This is the captivating, untold tale of how Larian went from near-collapse to leading the future of a storied franchise in Baldur‘s Gate 3.
The Brink of Disaster: A Studio in Crisis (2009-2012)
Larian Studios entered a do-or-die period from 2009-2012, facing crisis after crisis that nearly sunk the ambitious studio. As a fan, I watched with bated breath, worried they‘d join the likes of so many others swallowed up cruel fate right before achieving success.
It began in 2009 with the premature release of Divinity 2, as Larian rushed the game out just to generate any revenue they could. It backfired tremendously – the game earned a Metacritic score of just 71% as critics panned its bugs and lack of polish. As a result, it sold only 100,000 copies, nowhere near enough to stabilize their financial troubles.
Over the next 3 years, Larian struggled to secure enough funding for new projects. Investor confidence had tanked along with their reputation after Divinity 2‘s failure. I winced reading headlines about possible bankruptcy and studio closure. If this talented team couldn‘t survive, it made me worried for the entire RPG genre I loved.
Their one potential light seemed to be talks with Wizards of the Coast in 2012 to create Baldur‘s Gate 3 – a sequel to one of the most cherished RPG franchises ever. But in a crushing blow, Larian‘s bid was rejected as they were deemed too inexperienced and unstable to handle such a monumental project. At the time, it felt like the final nail in their coffin.
In retrospect however, losing Baldur‘s Gate 3 likely saved Larian from catastrophe. Had they attempted such an ambitious sequel mid-crisis, it almost surely would have collapsed too, damaging the brand along with them. Ironically, being passed over for their dream project may have pulled Larian back from the edge of oblivion.
Swimming Against the Tides (2012-2014)
Despite numerous brushes with death, Larian remained remarkably resilient. They kept their entire team fully employed to prove they could develop RPG masterpieces rivaling beloved classics. As I watched them weather storm after storm, I sincerely wondered if they could actually pull through and deliver on years of unfulfilled promise.
Their next moves displayed tremendous courage, vision, and yes – desperation. Larian invested heavily in their new original IP, Divinity: Original Sin, putting all their dwindling resources behind this risky attempt at a flagship franchise that could establish them as a marquee studio.
They made gutsy decisions one after another to turn Divinity into a breakthrough success – borrowing substantial sums of money even as bankruptcy loomed, delaying tax payments despite further damaging their reputation, allocating budgets for design risks that exceeded responsible levels for a studio on the brink.
It was a dramatic, high-stakes gamble to pour so much into Original Sin with so little room left for error. Had they failed here, Larian would almost surely have run out of chances and closed down for good. I anxiously awaited updates, hoping these heavy investments into their team and technology would pay off with the masterpiece I could see they were capable of.
Against all odds, Divinity: Original Sin finally released in 2014 to widespread critical acclaim, winning multiple awards and establishing itself as one of the best RPGs in years. As a fan starving for classics in the genre, it felt cathartic finally seeing Larian realize their potential. This talented team had been burgeoning under the surface for years. Now, their breakout hit sold over 500,000 copies out the gate, single-handedly turning around the studio‘s monetary woes in an incredible comeback story.
Leveling Up to the Next Stage (2014 – Present)
With a bonafide hit reinvigorating their studio, Larian looked to double down on the momentum. Gamers like myself waited with bated breath to see how they would leverage this long-awaited stability after years on a knife‘s edge between collapse and greatness.
In response, Larian again showed visionary leadership, turning to crowdfunding for their sequel plans. The Divinity: Original Sin 2 Kickstarter campaign shattered expectations, raising over $2 million from passionate fans like myself aching to see Larian get the backing they deserved. As rewards, we unlocked complex interwoven storylines, expanded party members, deeper combat complexity – the types of investments Larian couldn‘t afford during their years of financial instability.
I‘ll never forget the thrilling release of Divinity: Original Sin 2 in 2017 after following every update once again as a fan invested in Larian‘s redemption. It exceeded even the highest expectations, garnering acclaim as one of the greatest RPGs ever made. The Metacritic score said it all – a stratospheric 93%, light years beyond the Original Sin predecessor that already announced their revival. Eventually, it passed 1.5 million copies sold, cementing Larian as a powerhouse studio here to stay.
Three years later in 2020, Larian reached the pinnacle – full circle back to that dream project which eluded them years ago in Baldur‘s Gate 3. All the Awards, the millions of passionate fans, and most importantly the experience and stable footing allowed them to finally take the reins of the heralded franchise.
Seeing Larian‘s logo on the most wishlisted and anticipated RPG in recent memory elicited intense emotions for myself and fans who traversed their rollercoaster tribulations in full over the years. I can‘t understate the catharsis of witnessing heroes like Larian battle existential threats to ultimately prevail and earn the coveted chance to helm Baldur‘s Gate‘s iconic legacy. Everything in their incredible journey led to this crowning redemptive achievement.
The early access reception already suggests Larian‘s Baldur‘s Gate will be an all-timer. But even if it somehow failed to meet sky-high expectations, Larian‘s place as a marquee studio is set in stone thanks to an unforgettable decade-long quest back from the abyss to stand atop the RPG world. Their journey reveals so much about vision through adversity, responsible risks for the future, and yes – a little luck when you need it most.
For any studio struggling through seemingly insurmountable hardships, know that Larian stands as gaming‘s beacon proving redemption lies on the other side – if the talent persists against all odds. As a longtime fan there from the start, I can‘t wait to see their next chapters unfold. But this exhilarating road to redemption will forever stand singular in my memory, and surely gaming history as a whole.