In a recent Game Developer's Conference talk, Swen Vincke, the director of Baldur's Gate 3, revealed that the developer, Larian Studios, had decided to scrap the planned downloadable content (DLC) for the game. Vincke explained that the team had initially started working on the DLC, but it felt more obligatory than a passionate endeavor.

"The team was doing it because everyone felt like we had to do it, but it wasn't really coming from the heart," Vincke stated during his GDC talk. He further emphasized that Larian Studios is a studio driven by passion, which has been both their motivation and their key to success.

The decision to abandon the DLC came after Vincke and the team took a break over the Christmas period. Upon returning, Vincke announced the change in plans and expressed a desire to focus on other projects that were initially discussed before the development of Baldur's Gate 3.

"We have two games that we want to make, and we have lots of concepts. So let's just have closure on BG3, it's been great. We've done our job. It's a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. So let's pass the torch to another studio to pick up this incredible legacy," Vincke revealed.

Vincke also clarified that the future of the Baldur's Gate franchise is now in the hands of the publisher, Wizards of the Coast. Larian Studios, known for their "big ideas," see themselves more suited for creating new games rather than working on expansions or DLC.

Regarding the scrapped DLC, Vincke admitted that he expected the team to be angry with him for the decision. However, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the staff at Larian shared the same sentiments. "I saw so many elated faces, which I didn't expect, and I could tell they shared the same feelings, so we were all aligned with one another," Vincke added.

As for Larian Studios' future projects, details remain under wraps. Vincke teased that he has already "figured out" the first act of the studio's next game, but it may be years before any information is revealed.

With the decision to abandon the DLC, Larian Studios is ready to embark on new adventures, leaving the legacy of Baldur's Gate 3 behind for another studio to carry forward.