Larian Studios’ Next Big RPG: Did a Social Media Slip Just Reveal the Successor to Baldur’s Gate 3?

Few games in recent memory have left as profound a mark on the RPG genre as Baldur’s Gate 3. Released in August 2023 by Larian Studios, this Dungeons & Dragons-based masterpiece redefined storytelling, player choice, and turn-based combat, selling over 15 million copies and earning Game of the Year accolades. With its final major update, Patch 8, rolling out in May 2025, fans have been eagerly speculating about Larian’s next project. On May 23, 2025, GAMINGbible reported a tantalizing clue: a brief social media snafu where Larian’s Twitter handle changed from @larianstudios to @divinity, sparking rumors of a Baldur’s Gate 3 successor tied to the studio’s Divinity series. This leak, amplified across X and Reddit, has fans buzzing with theories about a new RPG that could rival Baldur’s Gate 3’s brilliance. Here’s everything we know about the leak, what it suggests about Larian’s future, and why the gaming world is on edge.

The Legacy of Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3, set in the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons & Dragons, captivated players with its 100+ hour campaign, 17,000 endings, and richly crafted companions like Astarion and Karlach. Built on a modified D&D 5th Edition ruleset, it offered unparalleled freedom, letting players shape their story through choices that ranged from heroic to diabolical. Its early access phase, launched in October 2020, garnered critical praise, and the full release on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Mac solidified Larian’s reputation as RPG royalty. Patch 8, announced on May 15, 2025, added cross-play, 12 new subclasses, a photo mode, and modding toolkit updates, cementing the game’s longevity.

The game’s success, with a 96/100 on Metacritic and over 500,000 Steam reviews (94% positive), raised the bar for RPGs. Posts on X, like @IGN’s January 2024 tweet, noted that Larian’s director, Swen Vincke, had already drafted Act 1 for the studio’s next game, signaling ambition to follow Baldur’s Gate 3 with something equally groundbreaking. However, Larian confirmed it would not develop Baldur’s Gate 4 or a major DLC, choosing instead to explore new intellectual properties or revisit its own Divinity series, which includes Divinity: Original Sin and Divinity: Original Sin II. This decision set the stage for the recent leak, which has fans speculating about a Divinity-centric successor.

The Social Media Slip That Sparked a Frenzy

The leak originated on May 20, 2025, when Larian’s Twitter handle briefly changed to @divinity before reverting to @larianstudios within minutes. Reported by GAMINGbible and The Gamer’s Joshua Robertson, the change was spotted by eagle-eyed fans, igniting speculation across X and Reddit. @SotanoDeAlicia’s X post on May 26, 2025, called it a “tiny little mistake” that “alerted players,” suggesting Larian was “traming something” big. The handle switch pointed to Divinity, Larian’s original fantasy series, leading many to believe the studio’s next RPG will revisit this universe rather than continue Baldur’s Gate.

The Divinity series, particularly Divinity: Original Sin II (2017), is beloved for its tactical turn-based combat, deep role-playing, and co-op multiplayer, often seen as a precursor to Baldur’s Gate 3’s mechanics. With over 7 million copies sold, Original Sin II proved Larian’s knack for crafting immersive worlds. Fans on Reddit, like user DivinityFan23, theorized the handle change signals Divinity: Original Sin III or a new Divinity spin-off, possibly codenamed “Project Gustav” (a Larian project mentioned in 2024 leaks). X user @GG3_xyz echoed this, suggesting a Divinity return “offers thrilling possibilities” for fans of both series.

What Could the Successor Look Like?

While Larian hasn’t confirmed details, the leak and industry context provide clues about the successor’s potential:

A Return to Divinity’s Universe

The @divinity handle strongly suggests a Divinity-based project. Unlike Baldur’s Gate 3, which used D&D’s Forgotten Realms, a Divinity game would leverage Larian’s original lore, centered on the world of Rivellon, gods called the Seven, and the Void’s corrupting force. Divinity: Original Sin II featured a vibrant world with elemental magic, undead races, and shape-shifting Source powers, offering a distinct flavor from D&D’s structured rules. A new Divinity could expand Rivellon’s scope, perhaps exploring its cosmic planes or post-Original Sin II timeline, where the God King’s defeat left power vacuums.

Swen Vincke’s 2023 interview on the Dungeons & Dragons YouTube channel hinted at Larian’s flexibility with future projects, noting they could craft stories “in tandem” with main quests rather than escalating power levels. This suggests a Divinity successor might focus on parallel narratives, letting players shape Rivellon’s fate through faction alliances or moral dilemmas, much like Baldur’s Gate 3’s nonlinear quests.

Enhanced Mechanics and Technology

Baldur’s Gate 3 used a modified Divinity 4.0 engine, but Larian’s next game could adopt Unreal Engine 5, as speculated by X user @RPGFanatic, for photorealistic visuals and larger worlds. The successor might refine Baldur’s Gate 3’s turn-based combat, adding dynamic environmental interactions (e.g., igniting oil slicks or collapsing structures) and deeper multiplayer integration. Divinity: Original Sin II’s four-player co-op was a highlight, and a new game could enhance this with cross-play, building on Baldur’s Gate 3’s Patch 8 features.

Character customization, a Larian hallmark, would likely return, with new races, classes, or origin stories. Divinity’s undead and lizard races offered unique gameplay, and a successor might introduce novel mechanics, like possessing enemies or manipulating time, inspired by Baldur’s Gate 3’s tadpole powers. Reddit user TacticianLad praised Original Sin II’s “insane build variety,” hoping for even more in a new game.

Narrative and Scope

Vincke’s focus on Act 1 for the next game suggests a story-driven experience. Divinity games emphasize player agency, with choices impacting companions, factions, and world states. A successor could match Baldur’s Gate 3’s 17,000 endings, weaving personal stories—like a mage grappling with forbidden magic—into a larger cosmic conflict. The Divinity universe, with its god-slaying stakes, lends itself to epic narratives, potentially rivaling God of War’s mythic grandeur.

The game’s scope could be Larian’s largest yet, with a budget estimated at $200–$300 million, reflecting Baldur’s Gate 3’s $200 million cost. A 2025 release seems unlikely, with 2027–2028 more feasible, aligning with Larian’s three-year early access cycle for Baldur’s Gate 3.

Why the Leak Matters

The @divinity slip, though accidental, underscores Larian’s stature in 2025. Baldur’s Gate 3’s success—15 million players, per SteamDB—has made Larian a household name, with fans dissecting every move. The leak’s timing, post-Patch 8, suggests Larian is shifting gears, as Vincke confirmed the studio is “focusing on our next big thing.” X posts, like @SotanoDeAlicia’s, reflect excitement tempered by mystery, with fans craving clarity on whether this is Divinity: Original Sin III or a new IP.

The Divinity connection resonates because it’s Larian’s creation, free from D&D’s licensing constraints. Baldur’s Gate 3 was a collaboration with Wizards of the Coast, but a Divinity game gives Larian full creative control, potentially yielding a bolder vision. Reddit user LoreMaster88 noted, “Divinity’s world is weirder and freer than D&D, so they can go wild.” This freedom could attract players who loved Baldur’s Gate 3’s creativity but want a fresh setting.

Challenges and Industry Context

A Divinity successor faces hurdles. Baldur’s Gate 3 set an impossibly high bar, with fans expecting similar depth and polish. Larian’s early access model, while effective, requires years of iteration, and bugs at launch could tarnish the hype, as seen with Cyberpunk 2077’s rocky debut. The 2025 RPG market is fiercely competitive, with Assassin’s Creed Shadows (3 million players) and Dragon Age: The Veilguard dominating charts. A Divinity game must stand out, especially if priced at $70, a sticking point amid 2025’s economic pressures.

Larian’s independence, without a parent company like Microsoft or Sony, gives it flexibility but limits resources compared to Skyrim’s Bethesda. The studio’s 400+ staff, expanded post-Baldur’s Gate 3, must balance quality with scale. Vincke’s emphasis on “not rushing” suggests a meticulous approach, but fans may grow impatient if teasers remain vague.

Fan Sentiment and What’s Next

The leak has galvanized Larian’s community. On X, @GG3_xyz called a Divinity return “exciting,” while Reddit’s r/DivinityOriginalSin buzzes with wishlists: dynamic worlds, new Source powers, and mod support. The Baldur’s Gate 3 modding scene, bolstered by Patch 8’s toolkit, hints at a successor embracing community creativity, potentially rivaling Skyrim’s modding legacy.

Hasbro, Baldur’s Gate’s IP owner, teased news on the franchise’s future “in pretty short order,” but Larian’s focus appears to be Divinity. A 2025 reveal, possibly at The Game Awards, could confirm the project, with early access by 2026. For now, the @divinity slip is a tantalizing hint that Larian is crafting a worthy successor to Baldur’s Gate 3’s throne, likely in Rivellon’s vibrant, chaotic world.

A New Legend Awaits

The accidental @divinity handle change has set the gaming world ablaze, pointing to a Baldur’s Gate 3 successor that could redefine RPGs again. Whether it’s Divinity: Original Sin III or a new Divinity tale, Larian’s track record—Original Sin II, Baldur’s Gate 3—promises a game of unparalleled ambition. With a mythic world, refined mechanics, and player-driven storytelling, this RPG could capture the magic that made Baldur’s Gate 3 a legend. As fans await official word, one thing is clear: Larian’s next adventure will be worth the wait, and Avalon’s gates are only the beginning.