The director of the critically acclaimed Baldur's Gate 3, Swen Vincke, has recently spoken out against the narrative that single-player games are a dying breed.  Vincke, who is also the CEO and co-founder of Larian Studios, firmly believes that single-player titles can thrive, but emphasizes that they “just have to be good.”

Baldur's Gate 3 itself stands as a testament to this philosophy, enjoying immense success since its 2023 launch. The game has garnered numerous awards and achieved impressive sales figures. Larian Studios is currently working on Patch 8, which will introduce exciting features such as a photo mode and 12 new subclasses.

While many perceive Baldur's Gate 3 as a primarily single-player experience due to its rich companion system and engaging character interactions, it also supports cooperative gameplay for up to four players.  Vincke’s comments come at a time when discussions about the future of single-player games continue within the industry.

Vincke recently praised Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows, commending the open-world RPG set in Japan.  This praise underscores his belief in the potential of well-crafted single-player narratives.

On Twitter, Vincke challenged the notion of single-player games being in decline, highlighting  chatter among investors and executives that suggested otherwise.  He encouraged a focus on imagination and innovation, pointing to the success of games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, which achieved profitability on its first day of release in 2025, as evidence of the continued demand for compelling single-player experiences.

Vincke further emphasized the importance of providing a counter-narrative to the idea that single-player games are struggling.  He argued that such narratives can negatively impact the industry by discouraging investment in single-player projects.  This, in turn, could ultimately stifle creativity and innovation in the genre.

He suggested that high-quality, innovative single-player games will continue to flourish, as demonstrated by the success of Assassin's Creed Shadows, which amassed over two million players in its opening weekend alone.

Known for his outspokenness on industry matters, Vincke has also criticized the prevalence of layoffs, attributing them largely to corporate greed.  He has urged companies facing difficulties to prioritize their employees and preserve institutional knowledge, even encouraging those who have been laid off to apply to Larian Studios.

In an often turbulent industry, Vincke's consistent optimism about the future of gaming and the dedicated individuals who create these experiences serves as a source of inspiration.