Larian Studios has officially announced that their upcoming role-playing game, Divinity, will exclusively feature mouse-driven movement on PC, diverging from the popular WASD keyboard controls favored by some players. This decision, communicated during a recent Q&A session, indicates the developer's commitment to a specific design philosophy, reminiscent of the control scheme in their acclaimed title, Baldur's Gate 3. While the studio remains tight-lipped about many game details, this definitive answer on controls has sparked discussion within the gaming community, especially given the popularity of WASD mods for their previous games. However, Larian is also showing responsiveness to community feedback on other fronts, notably by confirming a strict policy against using AI-generated art in Divinity.
Larian Studios Clarifies Divinity's PC Control Scheme, Commits to Mouse-Driven Movement
In a recent AMA (Ask Me Anything) session, Larian Studios, the renowned developer behind the highly anticipated RPG 'Divinity', provided a definitive answer regarding the game's PC control mechanics. Artem Titov, the gameplay lead, confirmed that the new title will exclusively feature mouse-driven movement, effectively ruling out WASD keyboard controls. This decision comes despite strong community interest, with many players having actively used WASD movement mods for Larian's previous hit, 'Baldur's Gate 3'.
A user, posting as Plastic-Guarantee976 on Reddit's r/Games forum, specifically inquired about the potential inclusion of keyboard controls, referencing beloved features in other RPGs like Dragon Age and Knights of the Old Republic. The user highlighted that the WASD movement mod for 'Baldur's Gate 3' was among its most downloaded and cherished additions. However, Titov’s response was a concise and unambiguous 'No'.
This steadfast approach to control design suggests that 'Divinity' will likely adopt a control scheme akin to 'Baldur's Gate 3', with potential enhancements in overall quality. While this might be a point of contention for some PC gamers who value the flexibility of WASD, the developer’s firm stance underlines a clear design vision. It's anticipated that the PC community, known for its ingenuity, will likely develop unofficial WASD mods shortly after the game's release, catering to those who prefer an alternative movement method. Furthermore, Larian has demonstrated a willingness to listen to player feedback on other crucial issues, notably by renouncing the use of generative AI in concept art tools for 'Divinity', acknowledging and addressing community concerns regarding AI integration in game development.
This announcement from Larian Studios underscores a developer's prerogative to maintain a specific creative vision, even when it diverges from popular player preferences. It highlights the delicate balance between developer intent and community desires, especially in the mod-friendly PC gaming landscape. While some may find the exclusion of native WASD support disappointing, the studio's consistency in its design philosophy, coupled with its openness to feedback on other critical matters like AI art, paints a picture of a studio that is both principled and responsive. Ultimately, the PC platform's inherent modding capabilities often serve as a bridge between developer decisions and diverse player expectations, ensuring that a broad range of control preferences can eventually be accommodated.