The Challenges Faced by Larian Studios During the Russian Invasion

The CEO of Larian Studios, Swen Vincke, found himself in the midst of a difficult situation when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. With development on Baldur’s Gate 3 already in progress at the company’s studio in St. Petersburg, the onset of the war prompted the swift closure of the studio. Vincke reveals that he had already considered the possibility of such an eventuality, leading to an immediate decision that they could not remain in Russia.

The closure of the studio was just the beginning of the challenges faced by Larian Studios. More than 90% of the team working in the St. Petersburg studio needed to be relocated to prevent any potential risk of being drafted into the military. As a result, Larian had to navigate through the bureaucratic hurdles of embassies and consulates in order to secure the safe passage of their developers out of Russia.

Vincke emphasizes that the decision to close the studio and relocate the staff was not solely driven by the need to protect them from military conscription, but also to ensure the completion of Baldur’s Gate 3. In the complex machine that is an RPG, any disruptions can have a cascading effect on the entire project. Vincke stresses that removing key team members would have caused significant delays and compromises in the game’s development.

The repercussions of the studio closure were not limited to the immediate aftermath. Vincke acknowledges that the ripple effect of the relocation lasted throughout the end of development, resulting in nearly 18 months of challenges and setbacks. These difficulties led to compromises and cuts being made in the final product, underscoring the profound impact that the geopolitical crisis had on the game’s development process.

The experience faced by Larian Studios during the Russian invasion highlights the unforeseen challenges that can arise in the world of game development. Despite the immense hurdles they encountered, the resilience and quick decision-making of Swen Vincke and his team ensured that Baldur’s Gate 3 could eventually be completed, albeit with sacrifices along the way.