When you’re trying to calm down speculation but accidentally create new speculation instead, you might be Michael Douse. The Director of Publishing at Larian Studios jumped on social media December 9, 2025 to address the Game Awards statue mystery and mounting Divinity Original Sin 3 expectations. His statement was clear and direct: there aren’t currently any plans for a new Divinity Original Sin 3 game. That’s unambiguous enough. But then he added a casual aside about not being supposed to announce something yet, effectively confirming that Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Sometimes the cover-up is more revealing than the crime.
The Exact Words Matter
Douse’s statement on December 9 was carefully worded but still managed to spark intense analysis. He wrote: “There aren’t currently any plans for a new Divinity Original Sin 3 game but once we are ready to show what we’ve been working on, we will.” The key word here is currently. It doesn’t mean never. It doesn’t mean the studio won’t make it eventually. It specifically addresses present-tense development status. Larian isn’t working on Divinity Original Sin 3 right now, full stop.
What makes this particularly interesting is how specific the denial is. He didn’t say there are no plans for new Divinity games. He didn’t say they’re done with the franchise. He specifically ruled out Divinity Original Sin 3, which is the third entry in a subseries that started in 2014. The original Divinity series goes back much further, with Divinity II releasing in 2009 and the franchise roots extending to 2002’s Divine Divinity. Semantic parsing might seem pedantic, but in the world of corporate communications, word choice matters immensely.
The Accidental PS5 Confirmation
The more entertaining part of Douse’s communication came when he responded to someone mentioning the PS5 port rumors. His reply: “Hey we weren’t meant to announce that yet.” That’s about as close to official confirmation as you can get without actually using those words. Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition has been playable on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for years via backward compatibility, but that’s the PS4 and Xbox One version running on newer hardware with all the limitations that entails.
A proper current-generation port means native performance, faster loading times, 60 frames per second, and potentially visual enhancements taking advantage of the more powerful hardware. The PS4 version was locked at 30fps, which for a turn-based RPG isn’t game-breaking but definitely noticeable. A PEGI rating for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions appeared back in November 2024, suggesting the ports were nearly complete over a year ago. The fact that they haven’t been officially announced despite being rated suggests Larian was saving the reveal for a specific marketing moment, probably The Game Awards.
| Platform | Status | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| PS4 / Xbox One | Released 2018 | 30fps, longer load times |
| PS5 / Xbox Series (BC) | Playable via backward compatibility | Limited improvements, still technically PS4/Xbox One version |
| PS5 / Xbox Series (Native) | Accidentally confirmed December 2025 | Expected 60fps, faster loads, visual enhancements |
Why No Divinity Original Sin 3
Larian’s decision not to make Divinity Original Sin 3 shouldn’t surprise anyone who’s been paying attention. The studio made headlines in 2024 by announcing they wouldn’t develop Baldur’s Gate 4 or any DLC for Baldur’s Gate 3, despite that game becoming one of the most successful RPGs of all time. CEO Swen Vincke explained that Baldur’s Gate 3’s success put them in a luxurious position where they could pick their own destiny and path rather than chase guaranteed commercial success.
The studio is currently working on two projects, one codenamed Excalibur. In interviews throughout 2024 and 2025, Vincke described the next game as having big shoes to fill and needing time to make it all work. He’s characterized it as familiar enough but different, with new tone and style for the studio. That description suggests they’re returning to their own IP, possibly the Divinity universe, but doing something fresh rather than iterating on the Original Sin formula.
What Could They Be Making Instead
The Game Awards statue covered in demonic figures and the matching Divinity trademark imagery strongly suggest something set in that universe is coming. If it’s not Divinity Original Sin 3, what are the alternatives? Several possibilities exist. First, they could be making Divinity 3, which would be a direct sequel to 2009’s Divinity II rather than continuing the Original Sin subseries. That game featured completely different gameplay, including dragon transformation mechanics and a more action-oriented approach.
Second, they might be creating an entirely new game set in the Divinity universe with a different subtitle. The series has included Divine Divinity, Beyond Divinity, Divinity II, Divinity Original Sin, and Divinity Original Sin 2. There’s no rule saying the next entry needs to follow the Original Sin naming convention. A game called Divinity: Requiem or Divinity: Fallen or literally anything else would sidestep the DOS3 label while still being a Divinity game.
Third, and perhaps most likely, they could be developing a Divinity game with completely different gameplay. Reddit users speculated about a 3D action RPG in the Divinity universe, similar to how Obsidian’s Avowed relates to their isometric Pillars of Eternity series. Larian has experience with action-oriented gameplay from Divinity II, and after mastering the CRPG genre with Baldur’s Gate 3, branching into a different style while maintaining the same universe would make creative sense.
The Trademark Evidence
MP1st discovered newly filed European trademarks for Divinity on December 9, and the imagery matches the mysterious Game Awards statue almost perfectly. The trademark includes a new Divinity logo featuring a distinctive eye design within the letter I, along with symbols depicting tentacle-like appendages arranged in patterns that correspond to the statue’s grotesque demonic figures. When placed side-by-side, the resemblance is undeniable.
The statue itself was placed in California’s Mojave Desert at coordinates revealed by Geoff Keighley, generating weeks of speculation about what game it represented. Theories ranged from Diablo 4 to God of War to Elder Scrolls before the Divinity connection emerged. The elaborate marketing stunt makes sense for a major announcement, but probably not just for a current-gen port of a seven-year-old game. The most logical scenario involves announcing the Divinity Original Sin 2 ports alongside a teaser for whatever Project Excalibur actually is.
Community Response is Mixed
The gaming community’s reaction to Douse’s statement has been a mix of disappointment and understanding. Many fans fell in love with the Original Sin gameplay formula and desperately want a third entry featuring the same turn-based tactical combat, environmental interactions, and co-op focus. For them, hearing there are no plans for DOS3 feels like abandonment of something special.
However, others appreciate Larian’s willingness to take creative risks rather than endlessly iterate on proven formulas. The studio could have made Baldur’s Gate 4 and printed money. They could make Divinity Original Sin 3 and sell millions of copies. Instead, they’re choosing to pursue whatever creative vision excites them, even if it’s less commercially safe. That kind of artistic integrity is rare in an industry increasingly dominated by sequels, remakes, and safe bets.
What to Expect December 11
The Game Awards 2025 takes place December 11, and based on all available evidence, Larian will have some kind of presence. The bare minimum would be officially announcing Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, showing off the visual and performance improvements. That’s a perfectly respectable announcement for a game many consider one of the best CRPGs ever made.
The more exciting possibility involves a teaser trailer for Project Excalibur. Given the elaborate statue marketing campaign and Douse’s comment about showing what they’ve been working on when ready, The Game Awards would be the perfect stage for a reveal. Don’t expect gameplay or extensive details. Larian has been clear that the project is still relatively early in development. But a cinematic teaser establishing tone, setting, and basic premise would satisfy the hype while managing expectations about release timelines.
Why This Matters Beyond Larian
Larian’s decision to walk away from guaranteed commercial success represents a broader tension in the gaming industry. After Baldur’s Gate 3 sold over 15 million copies and won multiple Game of the Year awards, conventional wisdom says you make Baldur’s Gate 4. You capitalize on momentum, brand recognition, and established player bases. The safe play always involves sequels.
By choosing creative freedom over commercial certainty, Larian is betting that making games they’re passionate about will ultimately produce better results than chasing trends or milking franchises. It’s the same philosophy that led them to spend six years making Baldur’s Gate 3 instead of rushing it out for quarterly earnings reports. If Project Excalibur succeeds on the same level as BG3, it validates their approach and potentially influences how other studios think about sequel culture.
FAQs
Is Larian making Divinity Original Sin 3?
No, Michael Douse explicitly stated on December 9, 2025, that there aren’t currently any plans for Divinity Original Sin 3. This doesn’t rule out future development, but it’s not happening now.
What did Michael Douse accidentally confirm?
While denying DOS3, Douse accidentally confirmed that Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition is coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S by saying “Hey we weren’t meant to announce that yet” in response to someone mentioning the port.
What is Project Excalibur?
Project Excalibur is the codename for one of two games Larian is currently developing. Details remain scarce, but CEO Swen Vincke has described it as familiar but different with new tone and style for the studio.
Will there be a new Divinity game at Game Awards?
Likely yes, based on the statue matching newly filed Divinity trademarks. However, it probably won’t be called Divinity Original Sin 3. It could be a different subseries, a spinoff, or something entirely new set in the Divinity universe.
Why won’t Larian make DOS3?
Larian wants to pursue new creative directions rather than endlessly iterate on proven formulas. They made the same decision about Baldur’s Gate 4, choosing artistic freedom over guaranteed commercial success.
When was DOS2 rated for current-gen consoles?
PEGI rated PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions of Divinity Original Sin 2 Definitive Edition in November 2024, over a year before the accidental confirmation in December 2025.
What’s the difference between backward compatibility and native versions?
The backward compatible version runs the PS4/Xbox One code on newer hardware with limited improvements. A native version is rebuilt for current-gen, offering better performance, 60fps, faster loading, and potential visual enhancements.
Could the new game be Divinity 3 instead of DOS3?
Yes, that’s one possibility. Divinity 3 would be a sequel to 2009’s Divinity II rather than continuing the Original Sin subseries, potentially with different gameplay mechanics entirely.
What does Michael Douse do at Larian?
Michael Douse is the Director of Publishing at Larian Studios, responsible for managing communications, marketing strategy, and coordinating releases across platforms and regions.
Conclusion
Michael Douse’s attempt to manage expectations around The Game Awards announcement perfectly encapsulates modern gaming communication challenges. He wanted to shut down Divinity Original Sin 3 speculation before disappointment set in, which is genuinely considerate community management. But in doing so, he accidentally confirmed the PS5/Xbox Series X/S ports that were supposed to be a surprise. And his careful wording about showing what they’ve been working on when ready has only intensified speculation about Project Excalibur. The December 11 reveal will clarify what Larian has actually been building for the past two years. Whether it’s a new Divinity game with a different subtitle, a completely reimagined take on the universe, or something no one saw coming, expectations are sky-high after Baldur’s Gate 3’s success. Douse is right that they aren’t making Divinity Original Sin 3. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t making something potentially even more interesting. We’ll know for certain in less than 48 hours when Geoff Keighley finally reveals what that demonic statue in the desert was actually teasing all along.