In the Wake of Divinity's Gruesome Reveal Trailer, Larian Publishing Director Says It's Not Trying to Shock the Audience, Rather Treat Them 'With a Level of Intellectual Respect' - IGN
Larian has responded to the intense discourse around Divinity’s gruesome reveal trailer, clarifying that the goal wasn’t shock value but trusting players’ intelligence. Publishing director Michael Douse said the team aimed to “treat the audience with a level of intellectual respect,” designing the trailer to resonate with viewers capable of grappling with complex, mature themes rather than simply provoking them.
The CG trailer, unveiled at The Game Awards, sparked sharp debate for its explicit violence and sexual content. While some criticized it as going too far, others praised Larian for refusing to sanitize its storytelling—a stance echoed by illustrator and YouTuber Kala Elizabeth. Douse replied that the intent was to match the audience’s powers of comprehension, acknowledging players’ appetite for morally nuanced worlds. The response from many Larian fans has been positive, applauding the studio’s willingness to explore darker narratives.
What we know about Divinity so far:
- It is Larian’s next major RPG following Baldur’s Gate 3, set in Rivellon.
- Tagline: “The gods are silent. Rivellon bleeds. New powers stir.”
- Built by the Baldur’s Gate 3 team, promising greater breadth and depth than before.
- Newcomer-friendly, with added continuity for fans of Divinity: Original Sin 1 and 2.
Swen Vincke, founder and game director, framed this as a culmination of Larian’s journey—its first game simply titled Divinity—promising more breadth, depth, and intimacy than the studio has ever delivered.
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