Larian Studios Explains Its Implementation of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity
The team behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its next major project, sparking significant hype within the industry. However, subsequent remarks from the studio's co-founder have added clarity to the narrative, touching on the studio's stance toward AI tools.
Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs
In a new message, Larian's director explained that the company is utilizing AI technology for certain preliminary tasks. These involve enhancing presentation materials, producing rough concept art, and writing placeholder text.
Crucially, Vincke stressed that the final assets in the game will be crafted solely by actual writers. "We are writing everything manually," he stated.
Larian is continuously expanding our team of storytellers and are currently assembling writing teams.
Given that this area is being explicitly called out — we right now have over twenty artistic staff and have positions available for further artists.
Everything we do is incremental and aimed at letting our team spend greater focus on making content.
Any AI system applied correctly is additive to a artist's routine, never a stand-in for their talent.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The news of employing this technology at first generated backlash among some the fanbase. In response, Vincke provided additional clarification on social media.
"We use AI tools to explore references, similar to we use search engines and physical media," he stated. "In the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then swap out with authentic artwork."
He added, "Our studio recruits creatives for their unique talent, not for their ability to execute what a algorithm proposes."
Focused Uses for Machine Learning
Vincke had previously broken down the studio's focused approach to this technology, categorizing its use into primary functions:
- Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
- Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using tools to rapidly prototype simple versions of gameplay ideas to validate concepts ahead of expensive production.
- Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how AI could in the future create innovative player agency, particularly in creating dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.
He explicitly affirmed that core creative domains — such as visual art — are not areas where the company is cutting artistic involvement. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these very fields.
"Our studio is neither shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor planning on reducing creatives to swap them out with AI," Vincke summarized.
