Larian Studios Details Its Use of AI Tools for Upcoming Divinity Game

The developer behind acclaimed role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its next major project, sparking significant excitement within the industry. However, subsequent comments from the studio's co-founder have brought nuance to the conversation, focusing on the studio's approach toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest clarification, Swen Vincke explained that the company is employing AI technology for certain ancillary purposes. These involve fleshing out presentation materials, creating early-stage concept art, and writing placeholder copy.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the end material in the game will be created exclusively by real artists. "Our team is writing every line manually," he affirmed.

We are constantly increasing our pool of writers and are busily forming narrative groups.

Given that concept art is being specifically called out — we right now have twenty-three artistic staff and have job openings for additional artists.

Everything we do is additive and designed to having people spend more time on the creative process.

Any ML tool implemented properly is a boost to a artist's routine, not a substitute for their skill.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The revelation of AI usage at first provoked concern among some the fanbase. In reply, Vincke issued further detail on public forums.

"Our team utilizes machine learning to explore references, in the same way we use search engines and reference books," he explained. "In the very early planning process we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then replace with authentic concept art."

He added, "We've hired talent for their unique talent, not for their capacity to execute what a AI generates."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past outlined the studio's practical strategy to this technology, defining its use into three main pillars:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to rapidly prototype rough versions of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts prior to full implementation.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Exploring how machine learning could one day facilitate emergent reactivity, especially in managing unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe.

He specifically noted that key artistic domains — including writing — are not fields where the company is cutting artistic input. In fact, Larian is recruiting more in these precise fields.

"We are not releasing a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on trimming down teams to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.