Owlcat Games could take over the development of Baldur’s Gate 4 according to industry speculation, though creative director Alexander Mishulin warns that any future sequel would look fundamentally different from Larian Studios’ work. Mishulin addressed the rumors in an interview with IGN, acknowledging the community’s belief in the studio’s capacity to handle the massive CRPG franchise.
Owlcat Games Responds to Baldur’s Gate 4 Speculation
Players frequently point to Owlcat Games as a natural successor to Larian Studios for top-down, story-rich role-playing games with turn-based combat. The studio built its reputation on complex titles like Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, and Dark Heresy.
When IGN asked Mishulin about taking on the project, he expressed gratitude for the community’s confidence. “First of all, I want to thank all the players and the whole audience who think we are capable of doing this,” Mishulin told IGN. “It’s really a big honor. You’ve already said that we are a bit masochistic. So yes, we would look at it as a great challenge!”
Studio representatives have not confirmed any active development on a new Baldur’s Gate installment. Owlcat’s current development slate remains crowded with ongoing projects, including Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn.
Did you know? Owlcat Games specializes in adapting complex tabletop rule sets into digital CRPGs.
Why a New Studio Would Change the Franchise
Mishulin emphasized that if another developer ever assumes control of the intellectual property, the resulting game will inevitably diverge from Larian’s design style. Larian crafted a distinct vision for Baldur’s Gate 3 that reflects the studio’s unique creative identity.
“After my opinion, Larian made their own vision of how a sequel to Baldur’s Gate should be, and they presented it to us,” Mishulin stated in the IGN interview. “Any other studio which is going to make BG4 will make their own game in Baldur’s Gate universe. It will not be Larian’s BG3, because BG3 is very typical for Larian.”
Attempting to mimic Larian’s exact approach is a recipe for failure, according to the creative director. Instead, a new team would naturally infuse the project with its own organizational DNA and mechanics.
“So any studio trying to copy it is doomed to fail… But other studios will do something different,” Mishulin added. “They will have their own DNA, their own ideas, and they will put them into Baldur’s Gate 4, and it will be something completely different. I hope there is a studio brave enough, passionate enough, and skillful enough to make that game.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Owlcat Games developing Baldur’s Gate 4?
No, Owlcat Games is not currently developing Baldur’s Gate 4. Creative director Alexander Mishulin acknowledged player speculation and called the prospect a “great challenge,” but the studio has made no official announcement regarding the project.
What games is Owlcat Games currently working on?
Owlcat Games is currently developing Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy and The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, alongside supporting their previous titles like Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader.
Why does Mishulin say a new studio would change Baldur’s Gate?
According to Mishulin, Baldur’s Gate 3 reflects Larian Studios’ specific creative identity. Any new developer taking over the franchise would bring its own studio DNA, design philosophy, and mechanics to the universe.
What are your thoughts on Owlcat Games potentially taking over the franchise? Would you want to see a different combat system and storytelling style in the next installment? Let us know in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest CRPG development updates.