The CEO of Baldur’s Gate 3 developer, Larian Studios, Swen Vincke, recently shared the challenges the company faced when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Development on the highly anticipated game was in progress at the company’s studio in St. Petersburg when the war broke out. Vincke revealed that he had already considered the possibility of such an event and made a swift decision to close down the studio to ensure the safety of the staff.
Following the closure of the St. Petersburg studio, Larian Studios faced the daunting task of relocating over 90% of its team to prevent them from being mobilized into the military. Vincke emphasized the urgency of the situation, mentioning that the team needed to be moved to avoid disruptions in the game development process. The CEO highlighted the intricate nature of creating an RPG like Baldur’s Gate 3, where every component is interconnected, and any disruption could lead to adverse consequences.
Vincke expressed the challenges and repercussions of the studio closure, describing the aftermath as “really, really hard.” The ripple effect of the relocation continued to impact the development process for nearly 18 months, resulting in compromises and cuts in the final product. The CEO acknowledged the sacrifices made by the team to ensure the completion of the game amidst the chaos caused by the war.
The experience shared by Swen Vincke sheds light on the resilience and adaptability required in the face of unexpected challenges in the gaming industry. The impact of war on game development goes beyond physical displacement and logistic hurdles; it also affects the creative process and the final product. Larian Studios’ ability to navigate through such adversity highlights the dedication and passion of the team behind Baldur’s Gate 3.
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