How to Get Hired at Larian Studios
What Larian Studios actually looks for in game artists, how the hiring process works, salary ranges by office, and how to build a portfolio that passes their bar.
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Art Style by Franchise
Larian’s visual identity has evolved significantly. Your portfolio should reflect the cinematic realism of Baldur’s Gate 3 — that is the studio’s current bar and future direction.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Cinematic RealismBG3 pushed Larian’s visual quality to AAA cinematic level. Characters are highly detailed with expressive facial performance. Environments are dense, rich in narrative detail, and built for both gameplay and cinematic presentation in Unreal Engine 5.
- PBR materials, photorealistic surface quality
- Extremely high character fidelity and facial performance
- Dense environmental storytelling through props and architecture
- Rich lighting that serves both gameplay readability and cinematic mood
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Stylized FantasyDOS2 used a more stylized, isometric fantasy aesthetic with saturated colour, hand-crafted environments and detailed character designs that read clearly from a top-down camera. The visual style prioritised playfield readability alongside artistic richness.
- Isometric camera-optimised asset design
- Warm, saturated colour palette
- Clear silhouette distinction between characters
- Detailed hand-painted texture influence
Future Projects
Cinematic RealismLarian’s next projects are expected to continue the BG3 visual direction. The studio is currently building on the technical and artistic infrastructure established for BG3. New projects are unannounced but the hiring pipeline reflects AAA cinematic RPG development.
- UE5 Nanite and Lumen pipeline
- Metahuman-adjacent character fidelity standards
- Continued investment in cinematic animation quality
- Multi-office co-development across 4 global locations
Internship Programme
Entry LevelLarian runs an active internship programme primarily through their Quebec City and Barcelona offices. Internships span VFX Art, 3D Animation, and Environment Art. Requirements are lower than senior roles but the bar is still competitive for dedicated intern positions.
- Strong foundational 3D skills expected
- Knowledge of industry-standard tools (Maya/Blender, Substance)
- Passion for RPGs and understanding of Larian’s games
- Both French and English internships available in Quebec
The Hiring Process
Larian’s process is selective and thorough. Each office recruits somewhat independently, so the exact steps may vary by location and role level.
Portfolio Review
Art directors and lead artists review portfolios before any recruiter contact. Your link matters more than your resume. Show work that matches the BG3 visual quality bar — cinematic character art, dense environment work, or production-quality VFX. Generic game art portfolios are screened quickly.
Typical duration: 1-3 weeksRecruiter Screen
30-45 minute call covering background, availability, and location preferences. Larian has offices in Belgium, Canada, Spain, and Malaysia — confirm which office the role is based in and whether relocation is expected. Ask about art test compensation upfront.
Typical duration: 30-45 minutesLead Artist Interview
Portfolio walkthrough with the hiring lead. Expect questions about your technical decisions, how you handled specific production challenges, and your familiarity with Larian’s games. Playing and being able to discuss BG3 specifically is a strong positive signal. They want to know you understand RPG production context, not just technical craft.
Typical duration: 60-90 minutesArt Test
Compensated for mid-level and senior roles, typically 1-2 weeks. The brief is usually a production-authentic task — a character asset, environment set piece, or VFX system matching BG3’s quality level. Deliver clean topology, proper UVs, and in-engine screenshots. Document your process clearly; Larian values artists who can articulate their technical decisions.
Typical duration: 1-2 weeks, compensatedFinal Panel Interview
2-3 people including art director and senior artists. Covers your collaboration style, how you receive direction, your understanding of RPG production pipelines, and a walkthrough of your art test results. Larian values creative autonomy alongside technical execution — artists who can contribute ideas, not just execute briefs, stand out.
Typical duration: 1-2 hoursSalary Ranges
| Role | Level | Salary | Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| VFX Artist | Senior | CAD 90,000 – 125,000 | Quebec City |
| Environment Artist | Intern | CAD 40,000 – 55,000 | Quebec City |
| 3D Animator | Intern | CAD 40,000 – 55,000 | Quebec City |
| Character Artist | Mid-level | EUR 40,000 – 60,000 | Ghent, Belgium |
| Senior Artist | Senior | EUR 55,000 – 80,000 | Ghent, Belgium |
| Lead Artist | Lead | EUR 70,000 – 95,000 | Ghent, Belgium |
Estimates based on Belgian and Canadian game studio market rates. Larian does not always disclose exact salaries in postings. Quebec Canada income tax applies. Belgium provides full social security coverage.
Portfolio Tips by Discipline
VFX Artists
- BG3 VFX is stylized magic and combat — elemental spells, fire, environmental effects
- Show real-time particle and shader work in UE5 or Unity
- Houdini simulation baking is relevant for senior roles
- At least one fantasy RPG spell effect piece will stand out
Animators
- BG3 character performance quality is extremely high — show strong acting and weight
- Character acting and subtle facial performance are prioritised
- Motion capture cleanup experience is a strong plus
- Internship applicants should show strong pose work and timing fundamentals
Environment Artists
- Larian environments are dense, readable, and narrative-rich
- Show modular kit construction and large-scale scene composition
- UE5 Nanite and Lumen experience is increasingly relevant
- BG3 Act 2 and the Underdark are useful visual references for the quality bar
Concept Artists
- High fantasy with grounded cultural and period influences
- Show character, environment, and prop concepting across a range of scenarios
- Production-ready concept sheets with clear orthographic views are valued
- Design problem-solving over purely illustrative work
Application Volume Reality
Post-Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian is one of the most sought-after RPG studios in the world. Every art opening attracts a very high volume of applicants from across Europe, Canada, and globally. Most portfolios are screened by art directors before any recruiter contact. Apply within the first 48 hours of a posting going live. ArtBlast subscribers get Larian roles the moment they post.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a game artist job at Larian Studios?
Apply through Larian’s careers site at larian.com/careers. Their offices in Ghent, Quebec, Barcelona, and Kuala Lumpur each post separately. The process includes portfolio review, recruiter screen, lead artist interview, and usually a paid art test for mid-level and above. Post-BG3, competition is very high — apply within 48 hours of a role going live.
What art style does Larian Studios use?
Larian uses cinematic realism for Baldur’s Gate 3 — highly detailed characters, rich environments, and expressive animation quality. Divinity: Original Sin 2 used a more stylized isometric look. Current and future projects are expected to continue the BG3 visual direction in Unreal Engine 5.
Does Larian Studios do paid art tests?
Yes. Larian typically compensates art tests for mid-level and senior roles. Test duration is usually 1-2 weeks with a production-authentic brief. Internship applications may have shorter unpaid tests. Confirm compensation in the recruiter screen.
What salary does Larian Studios pay game artists?
Larian does not always disclose salaries publicly. In Quebec City, senior artists typically earn CAD $90,000-$125,000. In Ghent (Belgium), mid-level artists earn approximately EUR 40,000-60,000, seniors EUR 55,000-80,000. Belgium provides comprehensive social security coverage on top of base salary.
Is it hard to get a job at Larian Studios?
Yes. Post-Baldur’s Gate 3, Larian is one of the most desirable RPG studios in the world. They receive a very high volume of applications for every opening. Experience with RPG or narrative-driven production is a plus. The portfolio bar is high and the process is thorough and multi-stage.
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