Larian Studios is setting its sights on enhancing the depth and diversity of companion relationships in its upcoming game, Divinity. During a recent Reddit AMA, Adam Smith, the writing director for the project, emphasized the team’s commitment to making the interactions among characters feel more natural and complex. This follows the success of Baldur’s Gate 3, where companions played a significant role in the storytelling.
Smith noted that while the companions in Baldur’s Gate 3 contributed richly to the narrative, their stories often left them feeling disconnected within the game world. He stated, “I’d like the companions—and other characters—to feel like a more natural part of the world.” He expressed a desire to explore how far the team can push the diversity of companions and their narratives in Divinity, aiming for a more organic integration of character backgrounds and motivations.
Innovations in Character Customization and Narrative Depth
Larian Studios is promising substantial improvements in character customization for Divinity. According to the developers, players can expect “more colors, more options, more control,” which reflects their goal of creating a more personalized gaming experience. Furthermore, the game is designed to incorporate “deeper sequences of consequence,” indicating a focus on meaningful player choices that impact the story dynamically.
In discussing the challenges of following up on the critical acclaim of Baldur’s Gate 3, Swen Vincke, Larian’s CEO, acknowledged the heightened expectations for Divinity. He conveyed a sense of “definitely more pressure” to innovate while maintaining the engaging elements that resonated with players in the previous title.
Smith elaborated on the narrative structure of Divinity, highlighting the complexity of stories within role-playing games (RPGs). He explained that CRPGs often feature multiple simultaneous narratives, which can include side quests, character romances, and interpersonal conflicts. The aim for Divinity is to create a more cohesive narrative experience, where character stories overlap meaningfully without feeling forced or overly coincidental.
Enhancing Inter-Character Relationships
Another important focus for the development team is to deepen the relationships between companions themselves. Smith acknowledged that while the character interactions in Baldur’s Gate 3 were engaging, some romance options felt overt. He stated that the goal for Divinity is “to ramp up player friendship and romance more subtly, so relationship building feels natural.”
The team intends to increase interactions between companions, enriching their relationships not only with the player but also with each other. Smith emphasized the importance of enhancing party dynamics, aiming for more engaging banter and deeper camaraderie, which were standout features in Baldur’s Gate 3.
As anticipation builds for Divinity, Larian Studios appears committed to pushing the boundaries of character development and narrative complexity, promising an experience that will resonate with players and elevate the role-playing genre. With a release date set for 2026, fans will be watching closely as Larian reveals more about this ambitious project.
