Larian on Divinity: Original Sin

Game director Swen Vincke describes how Larian Games are going back to their roots with Divinity: Original Sin.

One of the more fascinating concepts is the idea of the "dual dialogue system", that allows players to role play in conversations and make decisions together.

"The idea is basically that you're playing a table top RPG and you have multiple party members it's not just one guy making all the decisions, you discuss. So what we did is we put that in the computer game and we allow you to role play those discussions. When one character enters a conversation and the other characters are nearby they will also join in the conversation and they can also take part in making the decisions. Then they may not agree and at that stage their stats become important. I would be wearing a ring of +20 charisma, so I pretty much get whatever I want to have, but the other guy might be very strong and try to intimidate you."

"Say that you're cheating on your girlfriend, imagine that. And you're going to encounter a situation in the game while you're playing it with your girlfriend that is about cheating. The girl goes that's repulsive, and you say "well, in certain circumstances that would be allowed", and she would be looking at you "what the hell are you saying?" But you're role playing it in the game, so you get these things, these mirror images of very recognisable situations."