Larian’s Secret Baldur’s Gate 3 Tease in Divinity: Original Sin 2 Was Almost Too Obvious

In a fascinating revelation that’s sending ripples through the RPG community, Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke has disclosed that the studio’s subtle nod to Baldur’s Gate 3 in Divinity: Original Sin 2 was originally meant to be far more explicit. The discovery came during a recent livestream where Larian revisited their critically acclaimed 2017 RPG, providing fans with a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes insights.

The Nearly-Spoiled Surprise

During the livestream, which has since become required viewing for RPG enthusiasts, communications developer Aoife Wilson broached the subject of hidden references in Divinity: Original Sin 2 that hinted at Larian’s future projects. What emerged was a story of creative evolution and last-minute changes that could have dramatically altered how fans discovered the studio’s ambitious plans.

Vincke revealed that the connection to Baldur’s Gate 3 was initially much more direct and obvious. “We did it very last-minute because we actually, in the summer when D:OS2 shipped, we wrote the first draft of BG3 because we had a contract with Wizards of the Coast and we needed to do it then. It was very bad.”

This candid admission offers a rare glimpse into the development process of one of gaming’s most anticipated sequels. The fact that Larian was already working on Baldur’s Gate 3 while simultaneously wrapping up Divinity: Original Sin 2 speaks volumes about the studio’s ambitious scope and their commitment to expanding their creative universe.

The Art of Subtlety

The final implementation of the Baldur’s Gate 3 references in Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a masterclass in subtle world-building. The game includes several cryptic mentions that, in retrospect, clearly point toward the mind flayer-centric narrative of BG3:

• Fane’s ominous warning about octopuses secretly plotting
• Tarquin’s discussion of “a mysterious race from another world—beings that feed on minds”
• The scattered jars of mind maggots throughout the game world

These elements, while seemingly innocuous during the initial playthrough, now stand as clever Easter eggs that reward attentive players and demonstrate Larian’s skill in weaving interconnected narratives across their game universe.

The Mind Flayer Connection

The references to mind flayers in Divinity: Original Sin 2 are particularly significant given their central role in Baldur’s Gate 3’s plot. Mind flayers, also known as illithids, are a staple of Dungeons & Dragons lore, known for their psionic abilities and their tendency to consume the brains of other creatures. Their inclusion in D:OS2’s narrative was a brilliant piece of foreshadowing that only becomes apparent with the benefit of hindsight.

Project Gustav: The Working Title

Adding another layer to this interconnected narrative web, Vincke revealed that Baldur’s Gate 3 was initially codenamed “Project Gustav” after his dog. This explains why the default name for the player-character in BG3 is “Tav” – a subtle nod to the project’s origins that many players likely overlooked.

Reciprocal References

The connection between the two games isn’t unidirectional. Baldur’s Gate 3 also contains references to Divinity: Original Sin 2, particularly regarding the character of Tarquin. In BG3, players can find:

• A letter from cleric Lenore De Hurst to wizard Lorroakan mentioning a man named “something with a T and Q… Tuqueen?”
• A note in the House of Grief describing him as “Marco Creenn” (an anagram of necromancer)

These references create a fascinating narrative loop between the two game worlds, suggesting a deeper connection between Rivellon (the setting of Divinity) and the Forgotten Realms (where Baldur’s Gate is set).

The Evolution of a Game

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this revelation is the insight it provides into the development process of Baldur’s Gate 3. The fact that the first draft was written in the summer of 2017, immediately after Divinity: Original Sin 2’s release, demonstrates the long and complex journey the game underwent before its eventual release in 2023.

Vincke’s admission that the initial draft was “very bad” is a refreshingly honest look at game development. It highlights the iterative nature of creating complex RPGs and the importance of allowing ideas to evolve and mature over time.

Fan Reactions and Speculation

The gaming community has been abuzz with this revelation, with fans poring over Divinity: Original Sin 2 once again to spot all the hidden references. Social media platforms and gaming forums are filled with discussions about:

• Other potential Easter eggs that might have been missed
• Theories about the deeper connection between the Divinity and Forgotten Realms universes
• Speculation about what other secrets might be hidden in Larian’s games

The Art of Game Development Teasing

This revelation also serves as a fascinating case study in how game developers can tease future projects without spoiling the surprise. Larian’s approach of embedding subtle references that only become meaningful in retrospect is a clever way to reward dedicated fans without compromising the impact of future announcements.

Looking Forward

As the dust settles on Baldur’s Gate 3’s release and players continue to explore its vast world, this revelation from Larian opens up new avenues for speculation about the studio’s future projects. Will we see more connections between the Divinity and Forgotten Realms universes? Are there other secrets hidden in Larian’s back catalog waiting to be discovered?

The gaming world will undoubtedly be watching Larian’s next moves with even greater interest, knowing that the studio has a history of embedding clever hints about future projects in their current releases.

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