@chas @cassidy > Baldurs Gate: the studio was practically picked for their existing engine and tooling

Larian was previously denied rights to BG and only got the green light with Divinity: Original Sin II

> Larian actually originally pitched for Baldur's Gate 3 back when Divinity: Original Sin 1 was in development, but Dungeons & Dragons owner Wizards of the Coast thought the Belgium studio too green, too inexperienced, Vincke said. Funny to hear that now, given the enormous success of the Original Sin series - and evidently Wizards soon cottoned on to what Larian could do. "During DOS2, they reached out to us and said, 'Do you still want to do it?'" Vincke said, to which the obvious answer was: "Yes - of course."

https://www.eurogamer.net/its-true-divinity-studio-larian-is-making-baldurs-gate-3

> Larian had a keen interest in making a Baldur’s Gate sequel. The company was denied the IP by WotC in 2014, having been deemed unproven after releasing Divinity: Original Sin. However, impressed with the premarketing of Divinity: Original Sin II three years later, WotC approached Larian for BG3.

https://naavik.co/digest/baldurs-gate-3-stars-aligned-success/