Former GTA director Obbe Vermeij, now working on Plentiful, has publicly praised Larian Studios for stepping away from Baldur’s Gate, calling it "a bold move" and acknowledging that "it's easier to just keep on doing what you're doing." He highlighted the challenge of moving on from a critically acclaimed property in remarks given to Games Hub.

Vermeij told Games Hub that "it's not obvious. It's very risky." to pivot away from a megahit IP; "it's easier to just keep on doing what you're doing." He argued that studios with one megahit face pressure to stay in that lane, and warned that some developers might be tempted to "put [whatever weird ideas you have] into GTA rather than just launching an entirely new game" rather than pursuing a new property.

During the interview, Larian is described as signaling it will discuss generative AI in an AMA set for the new year, following backlash earlier this month. Larian CEO Swen Vincke stated it would be "irresponsible for us not to evaluate new technologies" and that the company’s successes "come from empowering people to work in their own way." The studio’s newly revealed Divinity game, however, will not include any AI-generated content, according to Vincke.

Vermeij’s current project, Plentiful, is a sandbox god game where players sculpt the land, redirect rivers, and guide their people "through a perilous Stone Age." The remark from Vermeij sits within a broader industry conversation about risk and the management of beloved IPs, with developers weighing the benefits of continuing a megahit against the opportunity to explore new ideas.

The discussion around AI in game development has intensified in recent weeks, with Larian publicly defending the exploration of new technologies while also clarifying its stance on AI-generated content for specific titles. That tension illustrates the cultural moment in which studios operate: balancing fan expectations, creative autonomy, and the evolving toolset that technologies like generative AI provide.

Overall, observers are watching how major studios navigate the appetite for fresh IP versus the security of proven franchises. Vermeij’s perspective underscores a growing willingness among industry veterans to champion bold, uncertain moves as a sign of artistic and strategic vitality.