James Ohlen, co-lead designer on Baldur's Gate 2, declined Hasbro's request to develop Baldur's Gate 4 after Larian Studios passed on a sequel.
Ohlen received the offer from Hasbro CEO Chris Cox shortly after Larian turned down the project. His studio Archetype Entertainment, which is owned by Hasbro, was already developing the sci-fi RPG Exodus at the time.
"I don't, I would fail, and here's why I would fail," Ohlen told PC Gamer. He cited the difficulty of competing with Baldur's Gate 3 and the challenge of replicating Larian's tools and pipeline.
Ohlen has since left Archetype Entertainment due to burnout. Kevin Martens, the other co-lead designer on Baldur's Gate 2, is working on an upcoming remake of that game.