Rising RAM & SSD Prices Force Larian to Do Optimization for Divinity Earlier Than Expected - 80 Level
Rising RAM and SSD Prices Push Larian to Optimize Divinity Earlier Than Planned
Author: Gloria Levine | Senior Editor | 18 December 2025
Skyrocketing RAM and SSD costs—driven by manufacturers shifting capacity to meet AI infrastructure demand—are squeezing both gamers and game developers. Some memory kits now rival the price of high-end GPUs, upending hardware budgets across the industry.
Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke told TheGamer he’s never seen memory and storage prices spike this sharply. The volatility has disrupted the studio’s cost projections and production roadmap, forcing a change of plan for its next Divinity game: more performance optimization will now happen much earlier in development, including during early access, rather than later as initially intended.
Key takeaways:
- AI-fueled demand is pushing RAM and SSD prices higher than expected, straining PC upgrade paths and studio budgets.
- Larian will prioritize optimization earlier in the pipeline for the upcoming Divinity, targeting better performance during early access.
- The shift is challenging for scheduling and resourcing but aims to benefit players sooner.
Context on AI usage at Larian:
Following criticism, Vincke reiterated that Larian only uses generative AI for internal, non-shipping tasks—such as idea exploration, presentation prep, concept iteration, and placeholder text. He emphasized that no generative AI content will appear in the final game and highlighted the studio’s robust art team: 72 artists, including 23 concept artists, with more hiring underway. Larian stresses that shipped art remains original and human-made.
Trailer controversy:
The studio also addressed reactions to a gruesome Divinity trailer, noting it wasn’t intended to shock but to match the audience’s capacity for complex, mature themes.
Bottom line:
- Hardware market turbulence is reshaping dev timelines.
- Early optimization could yield better performance for players in early access.
- Larian maintains a human-led creative process, using AI only for internal support.