Larian Studios’ CEO Swen Vincke Addresses Crunch Culture During Baldur’s Gate 3 Development
During a Q&A session at the Digital Dragons conference in Poland, Larian Studios’ CEO Swen Vincke discussed the topic of crunch culture at the studio. Vincke admitted that there were instances where the team had to do a bit of crunch while working on Baldur’s Gate 3. Despite stating that the team wasn’t «overly» required to crunch, Vincke emphasized that there were times when crunch was necessary due to unforeseen circumstances. However, he mentioned that the amount of crunch required for BG3 was less compared to previous projects. Vincke also reassured that anyone working late was compensated for their overtime, and working weekends or past 8pm was very rare at Larian Studios.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Developer Larian Studios Faces Delays with Physical PS5 Deluxe Editions
In a recent announcement, Larian Studios revealed that the physical PS5 North America deluxe editions of Baldur’s Gate 3 have been delayed once again, this time to July 2024. The studio expressed disappointment over the delay, but assured fans that they are working to ensure the quality of the deluxe editions meets expectations. Despite the setback, Larian Studios confirmed that their next project will not be Baldur’s Gate 4, DLC, or related to Dungeons and Dragons. However, they hinted at other upcoming game developments in the pipeline.
Insight into Larian Studios’ Work Culture and Overtime Policies During Game Development
Larian Studios’ CEO Swen Vincke provided insight into the studio’s work culture and overtime policies, particularly during the development of Baldur’s Gate 3. While acknowledging the need for occasional crunch to meet project deadlines, Vincke emphasized that Larian Studios strives to minimize the amount of overtime required for its employees. He highlighted the studio’s practice of compensating employees for overtime work and mentioned that working weekends or past 8pm is a rare occurrence at Larian Studios. The discussion sheds light on the challenges and considerations involved in game development processes, particularly in balancing work demands with employee well-being.
