How to Apply to Larian

9 min read Last updated April 20, 2026 64 open positions
Blake Crosley
Blake Crosley Researched using publicly available information, hiring data, and ATS analysis.

Key Takeaways

  • Larian Studios is one of the most acclaimed RPG developers in the world, with Baldur's Gate 3 earning over 200 Game of the Year awards — working here means contributing to genre-defining titles.
  • The studio is actively hiring across all seven locations as it develops a new Divinity game announced at The Game Awards 2025, described as their most ambitious project yet.
  • Larian uses Lever as its applicant tracking system — apply through larian.com/careers or jobs.lever.co/larian, and submit an open application if no current role fits.
  • The hiring process averages 83 days and typically includes a screening call, take-home test or art test, and one or more technical interviews with discipline leads.
  • Iteration is at the core of Larian's philosophy — demonstrate your ability to rework and refine rather than treating first drafts as final.
  • The studio remains fiercely independent and privately owned, offering employees the stability of a large company with the creative freedom of an indie studio.
  • Benefits include 25 days annual leave, relocation packages for international hires, private health insurance, flexible hours, and a culture with almost no crunch time.
  • Portfolio quality trumps resume length for creative roles — put your strongest, most relevant work first and keep it concise. One excellent piece outweighs a reel of mediocre work.
  • Larian values authentic passion for RPGs over generic industry enthusiasm — be prepared to discuss specific games, design decisions, and what excites you about the genre.

About Larian

Larian Studios is a Belgian independent video game developer and publisher founded by Swen Vincke in 1996, headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. The studio has grown from a scrappy indie outfit into one of the world's largest privately held game companies, with approximately 530 employees spread across seven studios in Ghent, Barcelona, Dublin, Guildford, Kuala Lumpur, Quebec City, and Warsaw. Larian is best known for the Divinity franchise — including the critically acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin (2014) and Divinity: Original Sin 2 (2017) — and for Baldur's Gate 3 (2023), which swept over 200 Game of the Year awards including The Game Awards, BAFTA, Golden Joystick, DICE, and Game Developers Choice. The company nearly went bankrupt during the development of the original Divinity: Original Sin, a testament to its all-or-nothing commitment to quality that has defined its identity ever since. Rather than capitalizing on Baldur's Gate 3 with DLC or a sequel, Larian returned to its own IP, announcing a new Divinity title at The Game Awards 2025 — described as their most ambitious RPG yet, built on a new proprietary engine. The team grew from roughly 140 people in 2017 to over 450 during Baldur's Gate 3 development and now stands at around 530. Larian remains fiercely independent and privately owned, refusing acquisition offers from major publishers, and continues to hire across all disciplines as it scales for its next project. The studio's development philosophy centers on deep iteration — Vincke has stated that he does not know how to make a game other than by making it multiple times until it is right. This iterative ethos, combined with a genuine passion for RPGs and player agency, makes Larian one of the most respected and sought-after employers in the games industry. Employees rate the company's culture and values at 4.4 out of 5 on Glassdoor, and 84 percent would recommend working there to a friend, reflecting a workplace that genuinely practices the creative ambition it preaches.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Browse open positions on Larian's careers page (larian

    Browse open positions on Larian's careers page (larian.com/careers) or their Lever job board (jobs.lever.co/larian). Roles are organized by studio location and discipline.

  2. 2
    Submit your application through the Lever portal with your CV, cover letter, and

    Submit your application through the Lever portal with your CV, cover letter, and any required portfolio materials or work samples. If no suitable role is open, Larian accepts open applications for future consideration.

  3. 3
    If your profile matches, a recruiter will schedule an initial screening call to

    If your profile matches, a recruiter will schedule an initial screening call to discuss your background, experience, motivations, and salary expectations. This typically happens within two to four weeks.

  4. 4
    Depending on the role, you will receive a take-home test or art test

    Depending on the role, you will receive a take-home test or art test. For writing and narrative roles, this can be extensive and may require dedicated time off work to complete. Programming roles often involve coding challenges or technical problem-solving exercises.

  5. 5
    A technical or discipline-specific interview follows, usually conducted by two i

    A technical or discipline-specific interview follows, usually conducted by two interviewers. Expect a mix of case-based questions, live code review or portfolio walkthrough, and behavioral questions about past project experience.

  6. 6
    Senior candidates may advance to additional rounds with a studio head, the Head

    Senior candidates may advance to additional rounds with a studio head, the Head of HR, and potentially other department leads such as the Art Director or Lead Developer. Very senior hires may interview with founder Swen Vincke.

  7. 7
    The full process averages around 83 days from application to offer, though it va

    The full process averages around 83 days from application to offer, though it varies significantly — QA roles may close in 30 days while senior design or development positions can take up to 240 days. Larian will provide relocation support for international hires once an offer is extended.

Resume Tips for Larian

recommended

Lead with shipped game titles and your specific contributions — Larian values pe

Lead with shipped game titles and your specific contributions — Larian values people who have seen projects through to completion. List the game name, studio, your role, and what you personally built or owned.

recommended

Highlight experience with RPGs, systemic game design, or narrative-driven projec

Highlight experience with RPGs, systemic game design, or narrative-driven projects. Larian makes deeply interconnected RPGs with complex systems, so direct genre experience stands out.

recommended

Include links to your portfolio, demo reel, or GitHub in the header of your resu

Include links to your portfolio, demo reel, or GitHub in the header of your resume. For art roles, your portfolio is more important than your CV — put your strongest, most relevant work first and keep it concise.

recommended

Demonstrate iteration and problem-solving

Demonstrate iteration and problem-solving. Describe situations where you reworked systems, cut features that were not working, or solved difficult technical challenges — this mirrors Larian's own development philosophy.

recommended

Mention any experience with proprietary game engines, modding communities, or en

Mention any experience with proprietary game engines, modding communities, or engine-level development. Larian builds on their own engine, so adaptability beyond Unity or Unreal is valued.

recommended

Tailor your resume to the specific studio location and role

Tailor your resume to the specific studio location and role. A tools programmer in Ghent faces different expectations than a character artist in Barcelona. Reference the job description's specific requirements.

recommended

Keep your resume to two pages maximum

Keep your resume to two pages maximum. Recruiters at game studios review hundreds of applications — frontload your most impressive and relevant accomplishments.

recommended

If you are a career changer or lack professional game credits, showcase personal

If you are a career changer or lack professional game credits, showcase personal projects, game jams, mods, or open-source contributions that demonstrate passion for game development and RPGs specifically.

ATS System: Lever

Larian Studios uses Lever as its applicant tracking system. All job listings are hosted on their Lever board at jobs.lever.co/larian and embedded on their official careers page. Lever is a modern ATS and CRM platform that supports collaborative hiring workflows, structured interviewing, and candidate relationship management. Applications are submitted through Lever's portal with standard resume upload, cover letter fields, and optional attachments for portfolios or work samples.

  • Submit your application through Lever at jobs.lever.co/larian or via the embedded listings on larian.com/careers — both feed into the same system.
  • Lever supports PDF and Word document uploads for resumes. Use a clean, ATS-friendly format with standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) to ensure proper parsing.
  • Include relevant keywords from the job description naturally in your resume — Lever's search and filtering tools allow recruiters to search across submitted applications by skills and keywords.
  • Attach your portfolio link, demo reel URL, or GitHub profile in the designated fields rather than embedding them only in your resume, so recruiters can access them directly from your candidate profile.
  • Lever tracks candidate sources, so applying directly through Larian's careers page rather than a third-party aggregator ensures your application is attributed correctly and may be reviewed sooner.

Complete Lever Resume Guide →

Interview Culture

Larian's interview culture reflects the studio itself: passionate, informal, and substance-over-process.

Unlike large publishers with rigidly structured hiring pipelines, Larian's process can feel somewhat organic and even a bit chaotic by corporate standards — interviewers genuinely want to understand your creative and technical thinking rather than checking boxes on a scorecard. Interviews are typically described as calm and well-structured, usually conducted by two people, and they begin with a conversational discussion of your background before moving into technical territory. For programming roles, expect live coding or code review exercises where you identify and explain issues in existing code. For art and animation roles, be prepared for an in-depth portfolio review where interviewers will ask about your creative decisions, process, and the reasoning behind your artistic choices. Narrative and writing candidates should expect a substantial take-home writing test that assesses both creative voice and ability to work within established world-building — multiple candidates have noted these tests require significant dedicated time to complete properly. The studio culture prizes deep knowledge of RPGs and games in general — interviewers may ask about games you love and why, or how you would approach specific design problems within a systemic RPG framework. Swen Vincke's emphasis on iteration means they look for people who are comfortable with ambiguity and reworking ideas multiple times until they are right, rather than those who cling to first drafts. Glassdoor data shows candidates rate interview difficulty at approximately 3.2 to 3.6 out of 5, reflecting a moderately challenging process that is rigorous without being adversarial. Artist and narrative lead interviews tend to be the hardest, while QA and operations roles are rated the most straightforward. The 84% employee recommendation rate and 4.4 culture rating suggest that the people interviewing you genuinely enjoy working there, and that positive energy is usually evident in conversations. Be authentic about your passion for the medium — Larian can tell the difference between someone who wants a job at a famous studio and someone who genuinely cares about making great RPGs.

What Larian Looks For

  • Genuine passion for RPGs and deep knowledge of the genre — candidates who can articulate what makes great role-playing experiences and reference specific examples from Larian's games or the broader RPG landscape.
  • Iterative mindset and comfort with ambiguity — the ability to prototype, test, receive feedback, rework, and refine without becoming attached to initial solutions. Larian makes games by remaking them.
  • Strong technical fundamentals in your discipline, whether that is C++ engine programming, character rigging, narrative scripting, QA methodology, or production management.
  • Collaborative spirit and ego-free communication — Larian's multi-studio structure requires working across time zones, cultures, and disciplines. They want team players who elevate the work around them.
  • Shipped game experience or demonstrable equivalent — having credits on released titles carries significant weight, but exceptional personal projects, mods, or game jam entries can substitute for junior roles.
  • Adaptability to proprietary tools and engines — Larian does not use Unity or Unreal, so candidates who thrive learning new systems and who have experience beyond mainstream engines are particularly attractive.
  • Creative problem-solving and ownership — the willingness to take responsibility for a system, feature, or asset and see it through from concept to polish, advocating for quality at every stage.
  • Cultural fit with an international, informal, and ambitious team — Larian operates across seven countries with minimal bureaucracy. Self-starters who can navigate autonomy while staying aligned with the studio's vision thrive here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What applicant tracking system does Larian Studios use for job applications?
Larian Studios uses Lever as its applicant tracking system. All open positions are listed on their Lever job board at jobs.lever.co/larian and mirrored on their careers page at larian.com/careers. Applications are submitted directly through Lever, including your CV, cover letter, and any required work samples or portfolio links.
How long does the Larian Studios hiring process take?
The hiring process averages approximately 83 days from application to offer, but varies significantly by role. QA Tester positions can close in as few as 30 days, while senior RPG Developer roles may take up to 240 days. The process typically includes a recruiter screen, a take-home test, and one or more technical interviews. Budget extra time for creative roles that require substantial take-home assignments.
Where are Larian Studios' offices located?
Larian operates seven studios worldwide: Ghent (Belgium, headquarters), Barcelona (Spain), Dublin (Ireland), Guildford (United Kingdom), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Quebec City (Canada), and Warsaw (Poland). Job listings specify which studio the position is based in. Some roles may allow for remote work, but most positions are on-site at one of these locations.
Does Larian Studios offer relocation support for international hires?
Yes, Larian provides relocation packages for international employees, including assistance with the move and optional language training for non-native speakers. The specific details of the relocation package vary by studio location and seniority level. Belgium, Ireland, Spain, the UK, Poland, Canada, and Malaysia each have different visa and work permit processes that Larian's HR team can help navigate.
What is the work-life balance like at Larian Studios?
Larian is known for a positive work-life balance by game industry standards. Employee reviews consistently mention flexible hours, an informal atmosphere, and almost no crunch time. The studio offers 25 days of annual leave with mandatory time off during Christmas. Glassdoor ratings show a 3.9 out of 5 for work-life balance and an 84% employee recommendation rate. However, periods of intense development can still occur, as is common in AAA game production.
Do I need professional game development experience to apply to Larian Studios?
While shipped game titles are highly valued, Larian also hires junior candidates and interns. If you lack professional credits, strong personal projects, game jam entries, mods (especially for Larian's own games), or open-source contributions can demonstrate your capability and passion. Larian offers internship programs in areas like gameplay programming and character art. An exceptional portfolio or demo showcasing RPG-relevant skills can compensate for a lack of studio experience.
What kind of take-home tests does Larian assign during the interview process?
Take-home tests vary by discipline. Writing and narrative design candidates typically receive extensive tests that may require dedicated time off work to complete, involving world-building, dialogue writing, or quest design exercises. Programming candidates may receive coding challenges focused on gameplay systems or engine-level problems. Art candidates usually submit portfolio work but may be asked to create specific assets. QA candidates may face bug reporting or test plan exercises. These tests are a critical part of the evaluation and carry significant weight in the hiring decision.
What game engine does Larian Studios use?
Larian develops on its own proprietary game engine, which has evolved across the Divinity and Baldur's Gate franchises. The new Divinity game announced in 2025 is being built on a completely new version of this engine. This means experience with Unity or Unreal alone is not sufficient for engine-level roles — Larian looks for adaptability and strong fundamentals in C++ and systems programming. Familiarity with modding Larian's games through their editor tools can be a valuable differentiator.
Can I submit an open application if there are no roles that match my skills?
Yes, Larian accepts open applications through their careers page. If no current opening matches your profile, you can submit a general application expressing your interest and areas of expertise. The recruiting team will keep your application on file and reach out if a suitable position opens. This is worth doing because Larian is actively scaling for its new Divinity project and new roles are posted regularly.
What is Larian Studios working on after Baldur's Gate 3?
Larian announced a new Divinity game at The Game Awards 2025 — the seventh entry in their original franchise. Swen Vincke has described it as their most ambitious RPG yet, featuring turn-based combat and built on a new proprietary engine. The game is expected to enter early access, though likely not before 2027. Vincke has said he hopes for a three-to-four year development cycle rather than the six years Baldur's Gate 3 required. Around 530 developers are currently working on the project across all seven studios.

Open Positions

Larian currently has 64 open positions.

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 64 open positions at Larian

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