Remember the cinematic reveal of Divinity at The Game Awards? It was spectacular, but the immediate thought for many was, 'How long do we have to wait this time?' Given the legendary, multi-year development cycle of Baldur's Gate 3, the prospect of another lengthy wait was daunting. But hold on to your potions, adventurers, because the latest news from Larian Studios suggests the road to the next Divinity might be much shorter than anyone anticipated. CEO Swen Vincke himself has hinted at a radically different development timeline, aiming to bring the game to players' hands in a fraction of the time.

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A Promise of a Shorter Wait

So, what's the big change? In a recent interview, Swen Vincke laid out a new philosophy. He stated, "I think three to four years is much healthier than six years." This is a direct reference to Baldur's Gate 3's extended development period. Isn't it refreshing to hear a studio actively working to reduce crunch and streamline production for the sake of its team and its fans? This doesn't mean the game is coming next year, though. While a 2026 release seems optimistic, this new targeted cycle points towards a much more reasonable wait. The studio began shifting focus to Divinity in early 2024, meaning they already have a significant head start.

How Is Larian Making This Happen?

How does a studio known for its depth and detail plan to speed things up? They're overhauling their entire workflow. One key strategy is moving away from a linear development process. Instead of waiting for one part to finish before starting another, multiple teams are now working on Divinity's story content "in parallel." This should prevent major bottlenecks. Furthermore, the absence of a global pandemic disruption (a huge factor in BG3's delays) is another point in favor of a smoother ride this time around.

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The AI Question & The Early Access Plan

Here's a point that might raise some eyebrows: Larian is now using generative AI tools. But before you panic, know this is strictly for early-stage processes like brainstorming and concept art. Vincke is clear that everything in the final game will be hand-crafted, and he admits the AI tools haven't led to major efficiency gains yet. It's more of an experimental tool in their massive toolbox.

The other major pillar of their strategy is a return to Early Access. This was a proven success for Baldur's Gate 3, allowing the team to polish the game with community feedback. The big question is: what will Divinity's Early Access look like? BG3 offered only Act One for nearly three years. For Divinity, the Early Access period is expected to be significantly shorter. If full development began in earnest in 2024, a 2027 Early Access launch seems highly plausible. Could we be playing the first chapters in just a couple of years? It's starting to look that way.

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What Can We Do While We Wait?

The wait, though shorter, is still a wait. But the beautiful thing about Divinity is its rich history. While Divinity: Original Sin is the most famous modern entry, Larian's universe has deep roots. This is the perfect time to explore the classics that built the world:

  • Divine Divinity (2002): The ARPG that started it all.

  • Beyond Divinity (2004): A darker, more linear follow-up.

  • Divinity II: Ego Draconis (2009): Where you could finally become a dragon!

  • Divinity: Dragon Commander (2013): A wild mix of RTS, RPG, and political sim.

Revisiting these games isn't just a way to pass time; it's a journey through the evolution of Larian's signature style—the humor, the freedom, the systemic worlds. It makes the upcoming return to Rivellon all the more exciting.

Final Thoughts

The message from Larian is clear: they've learned, they've adapted, and they are fiercely committed to not repeating the prolonged development cycle of their last masterpiece. They are prioritizing a healthier workflow and a more direct path to the players. While we might not mark our 2026 calendars just yet, the horizon for Divinity looks brighter and much closer than we feared. The triumphant return to the Divinity universe is being crafted with care, and thankfully, we won't have to wait six years to experience it. The drums are beating for Rivellon's comeback, and the march forward has officially begun.