Larian's Next Journey: The 'Dark Sun' Hint Was for Divinity All Along, Studio Confirms New Project

Wow, talk about a plot twist! Last night at The Game Awards 2026, the gaming world got a massive surprise. We all knew Larian Studios wouldn't stay quiet for long after the monumental success of Baldur's Gate 3, but I have to admit, the direction they're taking caught me off guard. They're not venturing into a new, unfamiliar realm; they're going home. That's right, Larian's next project is a grand return to the fantasy universe that made them a household name among RPG fans long before the Mind Flayers ever graced our screens: the beloved Divinity series. It feels like reuniting with an old friend after a long, epic adventure. They're calling it simply Divinity, a direct continuation of the story from Divinity: Original Sin 2. Honestly, my Rivellon nostalgia is hitting hard.

Now, let's rewind the clock a bit. Cast your mind back to that glorious Baldur's Gate 3 epilogue update in late 2023. Remember rummaging through Withers' study and finding that utterly baffling letter? The one that read, "A missive in Withers' hand... You glean only the impression of a dark sun in a white sky, and an offer. Perhaps a warning?" Back then, the internet went wild. With Larian's future with Dungeons & Dragons still up in the air, everyone—myself included—jumped to conclusions. We theorized about the post-apocalyptic desert world of Dark Sun or the scheming god Cyric from the Forgotten Realms. It was a fun rabbit hole to dive into.

But here's the kicker, and it's a classic Larian move: we were all looking in the wrong universe. As sharp-eyed fans like Annepackrat suspected, that cryptic note wasn't about D&D at all. It was a breadcrumb, lovingly placed, leading us right back to Rivellon. The entire time, that "dark sun in a white sky" was a teaser for the new Divinity. Watching the announcement trailer last night was a revelation. There it was, plain as day: during a pivotal, haunting moment of sacrifice, a dark sun rises ominously in the background. The pieces just clicked. That "warning" in Withers' letter? It almost certainly refers to the catastrophic ritual we see in the teaser—the one that seems to involve sacrificing someone of great importance, potentially even Lucian himself, and unleashing a terrible corruption upon the world. Larian was whispering secrets to us from across the gaming multiverse, and we finally heard them.

This isn't even Larian's first time pulling this clever foreshadowing stunt. They've got form, and it's brilliant. Long before we were worrying about ceremorphosis in Baldur's Gate, they were seeding hints in Divinity: Original Sin 2. Remember those creepy, almost throwaway references to world-consuming face-eating squids and octopi? At the time, they just seemed like quirky bits of fantasy lore. But with hindsight, they were clear, deliberate prophecies of the Illithid invasion that would define Baldur's Gate 3. It's a signature style: one game quietly holds the blueprint for the next. It makes replaying their titles a whole new experience—you're not just playing a game; you're scouring for clues about the future.

So, what does this mean for the new Divinity? Let's break it down based on what we know:

• The Story: It's picking up where Original Sin 2 left off. Rivellon's peace is fragile, and the trailer suggests a desperate, forbidden ritual has gone horribly wrong. The return of a "dark sun" imagery implies a cosmic-level threat, perhaps tied to the Void or a forgotten divine power.

• The Tone: The teaser has a darker, more ominous vibe compared to the sometimes whimsical tone of the Original Sin games. That "warning" from Withers feels apt.

• The Legacy: This is Larian returning to their roots, but with all the technical prowess, narrative depth, and player agency they mastered with Baldur's Gate 3. The potential is... staggering.

For us players, this is incredibly exciting news. It promises a fusion of the deep, systemic RPG gameplay we adored in the Original Sin series—elemental combos, object-heavy environments, incredible freedom—with the cinematic storytelling and character depth of Baldur's Gate 3. Imagine the tactical combat of Rivellon, but with even more refined dialogue trees and companion arcs. The mind boggles.

In a way, last night's announcement was a full-circle moment. That mysterious letter in Withers' tomb wasn't an ending; it was an invitation. An invitation to look past the familiar shores of Faerûn and back towards the troubled, magical lands we once called home. Larian has been weaving this tapestry for years, connecting their worlds with threads of subtle lore. The dark sun has finally risen, and its light is shining on a future full of familiar magic and terrifying new possibilities. I, for one, cannot wait to answer the call and see what warnings—and wonders—await in Rivellon this time.