Baldur’s Gate 3: HBO’s TV Adaptation Excludes the Game Creators—Larian Studios Speaks Out
Baldur’s Gate 3 is set to make its leap to television with an HBO adaptation, but there’s a shadow looming over the project: Larian Studios, the creative force behind the game’s runaway success, is nowhere to be found. Their absence is raising questions—and a few hackles—among the game’s developers.
Hollywood’s fascination with video game worlds continues, and HBO is eager to tap into one of the industry’s biggest recent hits. Craig Mazin—the mind behind The Last of Us TV adaptation—will helm a live-action series based on Baldur’s Gate 3. The show promises to pick up where the game left off, featuring the beloved characters fans have come to cherish. Yet, beneath the excitement lies a troubling reality: not a single member of Larian Studios, including the writers who crafted the game’s acclaimed story, will be involved in the TV project.
Image credit: Larian Studios
An ambitious adaptation… without its creators
The upcoming HBO series isn’t just a straight retelling of the game: it will take place after the events of Baldur’s Gate 3 and introduce an all-new storyline. Craig Mazin has been granted complete creative freedom, aiming to craft a more traditional series than The Last of Us. Here’s what’s promised:
- The return of iconic characters from the game
- New protagonists joining the cast
- A faithful approach to the Dungeons & Dragons spirit, including character progression
The catch? No one from Larian Studios, the team behind the game, is involved—not even the writers who built its critically acclaimed world.
Larian’s absence stands out, especially given recent trends. Successful video game adaptations have typically included the original developers: Neil Druckmann for The Last of Us, Todd Howard for Fallout—creators whose expertise and vision shaped their TV counterparts. This collaboration between game makers and showrunners was becoming the gold standard for authenticity and quality in adaptations.
An absence that sparks reactions
Michael Douse, Director of Publishing at Larian Studios, hasn’t hidden his discomfort with the situation. On social media, he voiced his frustration in measured but telling words: “I’ve spent the last 8 to 10 years of my life with the writers and creators of Baldur’s Gate 3, and they are the most incredible storytellers and creators in the industry.”
When Geoff Keighley—renowned games journalist and host—confirmed Larian’s total absence from the series’ development, Douse responded with a touch of irony, pointing out that the series only exists because the game made the Baldur’s Gate name relevant again. It’s a paradox: the studio that turned the franchise into a cultural phenomenon is now just a spectator to its own adaptation.
Except that we made it popular enough for it to be referred to as Baldur's Gate 3
— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) February 6, 2026
Swen Vincke urges calm, but fans remain skeptical
Swen Vincke, Larian’s CEO, has taken a more measured stance. He reminds fans that the game’s many endings were designed as fertile ground for new stories. In response to the controversy, Craig Mazin reportedly reached out to Larian to discuss the game’s universe.
But among fans, skepticism prevails. Many worry this outreach is merely symbolic, and that Larian’s real absence will be felt on screen. Memories of creative liberties taken in The Last of Us adaptation still linger, fueling doubts among the more cautious.
As video game adaptations become ever more common, HBO is taking a big gamble with Baldur’s Gate. Balancing TV ambition with loyalty to a cult classic, the series will have to win over a passionate and demanding audience. One thing’s certain: whether this adaptation is a triumph or a letdown, it’s already the talk of the town. And in both RPGs and television, that’s often where the greatest adventures begin!
