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[Fools idol]

Flush with the Baldur's Gate 3 vibes, Larian CEO tells acquisitive corporations to take a hike: 'I'm getting older, but I'm certainly not done yet'

The company caught Microsoft's eye as a potential acquisition in 2021, but although Larian finds the attention "flattering," it's just not interested.

www.pcgamer.com

Brilliant.

Swen gives potential acquirers of Larian Studios the finger, says he isn't done making games yet, and that Larian turned down offers from Microsoft in 2021. *ahem*... Obsidian who?

"I'm getting older, but I'm certainly not done yet," the Larian CEO told Bloomberg, who worried that a monolithic corporate owner like Microsoft could end up limiting the studio creatively in the pursuit of profit. To be fair, Microsoft has been—by all accounts—relatively hands-off with its myriad acquired studios over the last couple of years (sometimes to their detriment), but I could definitely imagine a world in which BG3 isn't as wildly ambitious—or as replete with distinct genital tailoring options—because of a corporation's oversight.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

 

[NotMyProblemAnymoreCunt]

Good

Thank God they realize how much that can screw over a company

 

[Skifi28]

Any studio Microsoft didn't try to buy yet?

 

[lh032]

I thought Tencent own the majority share?

 

[Punished Miku]

I thought Tencent own the majority share?

30%

 

[Ginzeen]

He's not interested in selling for now. Could change in 5-10 years.

 

[Drell]

Anything Microsoft didn't try to buy yet?

FTFY

 

[Hip Hop]

Any studio Microsoft didn't try to buy yet?

If it seems likely they talked to a company, they probably did. I'd imagine there are so many potential buyouts we have no clue about.

 

[graywolf323]

sheesh so Xbox really tried to buy up the entire western RPG market then?

 

[Draugoth]

They say that until MS shows up the 1 billion check.

 

[GHG]

Only clowns want good independent studios (who are thriving) like this to be bought out.

 

[Mokus]

That's a relief for now.

 

[Lucifers Beard]

They say that until MS shows up the 1 billion check.

I’m not so sure. Swen definitely comes across as somebody who is absolutely passionate about his job and the hobby. I know that money obviously speaks for itself, but I’m going to (for once) believe that he’s actually a genuine dude who wants to make the games he wants with no bullshit from other stakeholders.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Only clowns want good independent studios (who are thriving) like this to be bought out.

But just imagine what their next game would be with infinite amounts of money!!1!1

 

[Wildebeest]

Only clowns want good independent studios (who are thriving) like this to be bought out.

A few hours of excitement as you get some big industry news to discuss in exchange for decades of disappointing releases, lay-offs, senior staff jumping ship, and eventual closure.

 

[GHG]

But just imagine what their next game would be with infinite amounts of money!!1!1

Arkane had infinite amounts of money and look at what we got.

 

[jm89]

Everyman has his price.

 

[The Cockatrice]

Give Larian, the Dragon Age IP PLEASE.

 

[Punished Miku]

A few hours of excitement as you get some big industry news to discuss in exchange for decades of disappointing releases, lay-offs, senior staff jumping ship, and eventual closure.

I think you're looking at it the wrong way. None of this is about what any of us on this forum want. This is about what the modern landscape looks like. Here, we see that Tencent already beat everyone to it. A modern company trying to aggressively compete will have looked at this as well unless they want to just give up another Riot games without contest. That's just how the game is being played right now, regardless of what anyone here thinks. Looks like MS made them an offer which he said was "flattering." But in the end all the studio has to say is "no thanks" and that's the end of it.

 

[Kiraly]

sheesh so Xbox really tried to buy up the entire western RPG market then?

Nowhere in the Bloomberg article was this mentioned, OP writing fanfiction.

 

[damidu]

yeah probably why obsidian guys were sweating about this game not becoming a standard for rpgs.

they are probably
under constant pressure from ms to provide cheap gamepass fodder.

 

[Hugare]

Larian is what people expected from CDPR before becoming some shareholder's bitch

If they have good managers (and seems like they do) they wont sellout to shareholders and bloat the company in 200%

They are showing the industry how it's done. Love to see it.

 

[Lucifers Beard]

Give Larian, the Dragon Age IP PLEASE.

Not bad. I’d love to see them do more D&D stuff though. A Curse of Strahd style campaign would be amazing, especially with their story telling abilities.

 

[Sanepar]

Any studio Microsoft didn't try to buy yet?

That just bring a spotlight on what they are trying to do.

 

[Lord Panda]

Give Larian, the Dragon Age IP PLEASE.

And Ultima!

I had a good chat with Swen during the D:OS Kickstarter - U7 is one of his favourite games and one of his inspirations for D:OS. Super nice guy.

 

[Chukhopops]

Nowhere in the Bloomberg article was this mentioned, OP writing fanfiction.

The problem is that this kind of made up stuff ends up being considered as truth by other morons (see the SE acquisition rumor).

 

[FalsettoVibe]

Not shocking considering Booty's comments......

 

[Roxkis_ii]

Never had an interesting in DnD, but I might have to take a look at BG3. I want to support independent Devs like this.

 

[Jboemios]

 

[Hudo]

And Ultima!

I had a good chat with Swen during the D:OS Kickstarter - U7 is one of his favourite games and one of his inspirations for D:OS. Super nice guy.

This. If anything, I want Larian to try their hands on a proper Ultima game.

Edit: I mean, if EA Partners (or however that label is called) can bankroll shit like Immortals of Aveum, then surely, they can bankroll an Ultima game made by Larian.

 

[mitch1971]

If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.

 

[Lunarorbit]

Shit, tencent owns 30% of larian? That sucks

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Larian is what people expected from CDPR before becoming some shareholder's bitch

If they have good managers (and seems like they do) they wont sellout to shareholders and bloat the company in 200%

They are showing the industry how it's done. Love to see it.

CDPR tried.

Team that's rebuilding CP2077 with Phantom Liberty is a new one.

Good thing Larian didn't try to chase GTA style game with BG3. They know their strengths.

 

[PanzerCute]

Arkane had infinite amounts of money and look at what we got.

They absolutely did not.

 

[Damigos]

I m so glad they werent bought out. Or else now we would be paying $5 for extra dialog options

 

[Slicker than your average]

Only clowns want good independent studios (who are thriving) like this to be bought out.

There's many clowns here who will cheer it on. "It's best for gamers"

 

[Mister Wolf]

Microsoft might have to blackmail Swen into selling.

 

[xiskza]

MS right now:

 

[Hugare]

Arkane had infinite amounts of money and look at what we got.

CDPR tried.

Team that's rebuilding CP2077 with Phantom Liberty is a new one.

Good thing Larian didn't try to chase GTA style game with BG3. They know their strengths.

Tried in what way?

After TW 3 success they became too ambitious, sold even more of the company to shareholders and expanded like crazy

They are making a new TW game, Cyberpunk DLC, a new Cyberpunk game and a Witcher spin off or remake (can't remember)

It's like Larian after the BG 3 success saying "Ok, we will make BG 4 now, BG 1 and 2 remake, and also a new IP"

It's a recipee for disaster. And Larian seems to be much better managed than CDPR, even when TW 3 was getting made it was already pretty bad

There are reports saying that its a miracle that TW 3 came out the way it did, 'cause it was a mess few months before launch

Imagine now that the company is like 4x bigger

 

[BootsLoader]

Yeah yeah, I know…

 

[vaibhavpisal]

Tried in what way?

After TW 3 success they became too ambitious, sold even more of the company to shareholders and expanded like crazy

They are making a new TW game, Cyberpunk DLC, a new Cyberpunk game and a Witcher spin off or remake (can't remember)

It's like Larian after the BG 3 success saying "Ok, we will make BG 4 now, BG 1 and 2 remake, and also a new IP"

It's a recipee for disaster. And Larian seems to be much better managed than CDPR, even when TW 3 was getting made it was already pretty bad

There are reports saying that its a miracle that TW 3 came out the way it did, 'cause it was a mess few months before launch

Imagine now that the company is like 4x bigger

Larian also expanded after DOS 2. It has offices in 6 countries now.

You cannot attribute that to games failure.

Only reason why CP2077 failed cause same Witcher 3 team worked on it that didn't had experience in building systems that were needed.

 

[LordCBH]

GOOD

 

[killatopak]

But just imagine what their next game would be with infinite amounts of money!!1!1

To be honest I was one of those who thought that when MS bought Obsidian. Now, I’m kinda scared.

 

[Gaelyon]

"We can do things in service of the games we’re making," said the CEO, rather than pursuing a project management style that prioritises efficiency and profit above all else"

As the main reason he don't want to be bought by a big publisher. Keep it that way Mr Vincke

By the way, it's the same things with Asobo studio, they have a good relationship with MS but won't sell to keep their own work culture and independance.

 

[AJUMP23]

good we need independent studios.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

To be honest I was one of those who thought that when MS bought Obsidian. Now, I’m kinda scared.

I'd like to think that with Obsidian it was a bit different since they really struggled receiving funding for most of their projects while they were independent, so in that case it was either them getting bought by MS or the studio eventually running out of money and having to close doors.