Crunch on Baldur’s Gate 3 was “certainly less” than what Larian Studios experienced on its previous games. During the Digital Dragons conference in Poland, Baldur’s Gate 3 director Swen Vincke discussed the development challenges and the necessity of some overtime.
Vincke acknowledged that while the team faced unforeseen issues, the crunch was less severe compared to past projects. Larian’s global studio setup, including a new one in Warsaw, Poland, helped ensure 24-hour coverage, minimizing the need for extended overtime by any one person. Vincke noted that paid overtime was provided, and office occupancy beyond 8pm and on weekends was rare.
Despite efforts to reduce crunch, Vincke admitted that a small amount of overtime is almost inevitable when finishing a complex game like Baldur’s Gate 3. This RPG has been praised for its intricate design and is listed among the best games of 2023.
