With a single tweet, Swen Vincke commented on two major industry events without naming either company directly.

Swen Vincke, the head of Larian Studios and director of Baldur’s Gate 3, took to Twitter to weigh in on the current state of the gaming industry following Microsoft’s announcement of a Game Pass price increase and Electronic Arts’ acquisition by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and a private equity firm — a deal that seems to signal the end of BioWare, the studio behind the Baldur’s Gate series. Back when the EA acquisition was still just a rumor, Vincke jokingly remarked that someone must really want the rights to Murder on the Zinderneuf, an early 1983 detective title for the Apple II and Commodore 64.

Now that the acquisition is official — and with Microsoft not only raising Game Pass prices but also shutting down studios — Vincke shared a much sharper message. “Probably a good time to remind people that making games faster and cheaper while charging more has never worked before.” Although he didn’t name anyone directly, the targets of his criticism were clear. The subscription-based gamble on Game Pass looks more reckless than ever, while EA’s only chance to avoid sweeping layoffs under its new owners may lie in generative AI — a literal deus ex machina.

Probably a good time to remind people that making games faster and cheaper while charging more has never worked before.

— Swen Vincke @where? (@LarAtLarian) October 2, 2025

According to sources involved in the deal, the Financial Times reported that uncertain AI developments are what make the acquisition mathematically justifiable. Without them, EA was bought for $12 billion above its estimated $43 billion valuation, financed by a $20 billion high-interest “junk” loan that the publisher may struggle to repay with its current revenue streams.

Vincke’s lighthearted jab also highlights another downside of the deal: over the years, EA has amassed the rights to a staggering number of classic games — but has done very little with them. The most notable example is the Origin Systems back catalog, which includes Vincke’s personal favorite Ultima 7 as well as Ultima Underworld, regarded as the forerunner of immersive sims like Prey, Thief, and Hitman.

Vincke’s criticism of producing games faster and cheaper while raising prices reflects a philosophy that has worked well for Larian. However, it’s hard to imagine most AAA studios adopting that mindset anytime soon.

Source: PCGamer