# Larian Studios

> Belgian video game development company

**Wikidata**: [Q4042609](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4042609)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larian_Studios)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/larian-studios

## Summary
Larian Studios is a Belgian video game development company and publisher founded in 1996 by Swen Vincke. Headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, the organization has grown to employ approximately 450 people as of 2023. It is best known for developing role-playing games, including *Divinity: Original Sin 2*.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 1996.
- **Founder:** Swen Vincke.
- **Headquarters:** Ghent, Belgium (specifically Opgeëistenlaan 2, 9000); also listed with operations in Oudenaarde.
- **Industry:** Video Game Industry (Development and Publishing).
- **Legal Status:** Public limited company (Belgium); Enterprise number 0440481750.
- **Employees:** 450 (as of 2023).
- **Notable Works:** *Divinity: Original Sin 2*.
- **Website:** https://larian.com/

## FAQs
### Q: Who owns or founded Larian Studios?
A: Larian Studios was founded by Swen Vincke, who also serves as the company's director and manager.

### Q: Where is Larian Studios located?
A: The company's preferred headquarters is in Ghent, Belgium. It also has a listed location in Oudenaarde, Belgium.

### Q: What games is Larian Studios best known for?
A: Larian Studios is notably recognized for *Divinity: Original Sin 2*. The company also acts as a publisher for its own software titles.

## Why It Matters
Larian Studios is a significant entity in the video game industry, representing a major European success story in the realm of independent AAA development. Unlike many developers that are acquired by larger conglomerates, Larian has maintained its independence since 1996, growing to a staff of 450 by 2023. The studio is critically acclaimed for complex role-playing games (RPGs), specifically the *Divinity* series.

The company's significance is underscored by its ability to leverage community funding and support, notably through Kickstarter campaigns and active community engagement via forums and social media. This direct-to-consumer relationship has allowed them to produce deeply interactive software that rivals larger studios in scope and quality. Their work on titles like *Divinity: Original Sin 2* has influenced modern RPG design mechanics, particularly in cooperative gameplay and environmental interaction.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** Operating independently since 1996.
- **Dual Role:** Functioning as both a video game developer and a publisher.
- **Community Engagement:** Successfully utilizing Kickstarter and maintaining a high volume of social media followers (e.g., over 375,000 YouTube subscribers as per 2025 data points).
- **Belgian Origins:** Being a prominent Belgian software company with a global reach.

## Body
### Corporate Structure and History
Larian Studios was established in 1996 by Swen Vincke. It operates as a Public Limited Company (Naamloze Vennootschap) under Belgian law, registered with the enterprise number 0440481750. While originally associated with Oudenaarde, the company currently designates Ghent as its preferred headquarters, located at Opgeëistenlaan 2. The company's legal entity identifier is 549300QUCS4IHXZP2W44.

### Operations and Products
The company operates within the video game industry, focusing on the creation and publishing of software. Larian Studios produces "non-tangible executable components of a computer," specifically video games. Their portfolio includes the notably successful title *Divinity: Original Sin 2*.

### Digital Presence
Larian Studios maintains a robust digital footprint. Their official website is hosted at `https://larian.com/`. The studio engages with its audience through various channels, including:
- **Forums:** `https://forums.larian.com/`
- **Social Media:** Verified accounts on Twitter (`@larianstudios`), Instagram (`larianstudios`), and Facebook (`LarianStudios`).
- **Platforms:** Presence on Steam (Curator ID 6879350), Twitch, and YouTube.

### Financial and Community Metrics
As of 2023, the company reported having 450 employees. The studio has demonstrated significant growth in its audience, with social media tracking indicating a rise in YouTube subscribers from 149,000 in early 2023 to projections of 375,000 by 2025. The company has utilized crowdfunding platforms, specifically Kickstarter, to support projects, marked as a "Backer Favorite" on the platform.

## References

1. LastDodo
2. Crossroad Bank of Enterprises
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. MusicBrainz
6. National Software Reference Library
7. [Source](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-03/-baldur-s-gate-3-set-in-the-world-of-dungeons-dragons-arrives)
8. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
9. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Larian_Studios-8DXVG4)
10. YouTube API
11. VideoGameGeek
12. Video Games Chronicle