Larian Studios Explains Its Use of Generative AI for Next Divinity Game
The developer behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its next major project, sparking a wave of excitement within the industry. However, follow-up statements from the company's lead designer have brought a new dimension to the conversation, focusing on the team's stance toward generative artificial intelligence.
AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute
In a recent statement, the studio's founder detailed that the developer is using generative AI for specific ancillary tasks. These involve enhancing PowerPoint slides, generating rough artistic references, and drafting placeholder dialogue.
Notably, Vincke made clear that the shipping assets in the game will be authored exclusively by human writers. "We are developing everything in-house," he stated.
Larian is continuously increasing our roster of writers and are actively assembling dedicated writer rooms.
As this area is being specifically referenced — we right now have twenty-three concept artists and have roles to fill for further creatives.
All our efforts we do is supplementary and designed to enabling creatives to spend additional energy on the creative process.
Any ML tool applied correctly is a boost to a creative team process, not a replacement for their talent.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The admission of using AI initially provoked backlash among portions of the player base. In response, Vincke provided more clarification on social media.
"Our team utilizes these tools to research ideas, similar to we use the internet and art books," he wrote. "In the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for composition which we then swap out with original artwork."
He noted, "Larian brings on artists for their creative vision, not for their willingness to execute what a algorithm proposes."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's focused method to AI and ML, categorizing its use into key pillars:
- Automation of Tedious Tasks: This includes polishing mocap data, audio processing, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to rapidly prototype simple mock-ups of scenarios to test concepts prior to full implementation.
- Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how machine learning could one day enhance innovative gameplay, particularly in creating player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.
He explicitly affirmed that central narrative disciplines — such as visual art — are are in no way fields where the team is replacing artistic input. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these very positions.
"We are not shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor looking at reducing staff to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.
