The Making of Divinity - Original Sin 2

Explore the strategies and decision-making process behind the development of Divinity: Original Sin 2 in this 2019 GDC talk by Larian Studios' Swen Vincke. Gain insights into the company's history, core pillars, and expansion plans that led to the game's success. Discover how origin stories, feedback loops, and dialogue systems were implemented to enhance player experience. Learn about crucial decisions regarding voice scripting, situation reviews, and the armor system. Delve into the introduction of new surfaces, AI changes, and player tracking methods. Understand the challenges faced during development, including incomplete data and the intense five-day release period. Uncover valuable lessons for game developers aiming to improve upon their previous titles and create more engaging gaming experiences.

Intro
A quick history of Larian
A good plan
The expansion of Larian
The core pillars
Stretch goals
Origin stories
Lots of cooks
Feedback loops
Dialogs
An important decision
Voice script
Situation reviews
The armor system
New surfaces
Tracking players
Incomplete data
Al changes
Five release days