One of the oldest debates in the gaming industry has resurfaced: the question of whether big single-player games are "dead." This time, Swen Vincke, CEO of Larian Studios and the mastermind behind the blockbuster single-player game Baldur's Gate 3, has shared his firm stance on the matter.
In a post on X/Twitter, Vincke remarked, "It's that time of the year again when big single-player games are declared dead." He countered this notion with a simple yet powerful statement: "Use your imagination. They're not. They just have to be good."
Vincke's perspective carries significant weight. Larian Studios has built its reputation through a series of exceptional CRPGs, including Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin 2, before taking on the challenge of Baldur's Gate 3 and delivering a game that has been widely acclaimed.
Vincke is no stranger to making headlines with his insightful comments, whether at The Game Awards or in other public forums. He consistently emphasizes the importance of passion in game development, respect for both developers and players, and a genuine care for the games themselves. His latest statement on the viability of single-player games aligns perfectly with these values and serves as a reaffirmation of his beliefs.
The year 2025 has already seen the release of at least one major single-player success with Warhorse Studios' Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. With many months still ahead, there is ample opportunity for other single-player titles to capture the gaming community's attention.
Larian Studios has chosen to move on from Baldur's Gate 3 and the Dungeons & Dragons franchise to focus on creating a new intellectual property. During this year's Game Developers Conference, Dan Ayoub, SVP of digital games at Hasbro, hinted to IGN that fans might soon learn more about the future of the Baldur's Gate series.
