Among other things, Larian supported the dark action platformer Blasphemous.
Advertisement
Are development studios in fierce competition with each other? Maybe some do, but Larian (Baldur's Gate 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2) is one of those who prefers to take a different path. The studio has been supporting other developers for years, both financially and with personal commitment.
The whole thing doesn't seem to be just a PR stunt, as this support takes place quite hidden. The developer of Blasphemous is currently thanking Larian – and we have found other projects where they have helped out.
Larian's unobtrusive support
Blasphemous: Level designer Enrique Colinet writes at X (formerly Twitter), that Larian was one of the biggest Kickstarter backers in funding several years ago. The studio supported the project with 1,000 euros and, according to Colinet, never asked about the rewards.
Disco Elysium: In the credits of the great role-playing game there is a “Special thanks to Larian Studios”. At the time, developer ZAUM_Dani wrote in the Steam forum to explain:
Advertisement
Swen and the entire Larian studio were good friends to us and supported us throughout the entire development.
According to a video by Fextralife For example, Larian advised ZA/UM on how to make failed rehearsals fun (or at least interesting). Something that Baldur's Gate 3 would later achieve, as we now know!
Solasta: The 2021 role-playing game is also based on Dungeons & Dragons. Direct competition, you might think. But Larian also helped with Kickstarter financing here – with an undisclosed amount. This is what Solasta's official Twitter account shares:
Link to Twitter content
Larian's commitment is also visible elsewhere: CEO Swen Vincke doesn't mince his words when it comes to the conditions in the video game industry. He calls on studios to be less greedy and criticizes job cuts just to improve quarterly figures.
He and other Larian members such as Director of Publishing Michael Douse also repeatedly show support for games from other studios, especially indie games, on social media.
Of course, Larian is by no means the only studio that extends a hand to others and publicly praises the “competition” games. CD Projekt Red (Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077), Guerrilla Games (Killing Floor, Horizon), Devolver Digital (Publisher) and Arrowhead Studios (Helldivers 2), for example, also often show their supportive side.