Larian Studios Explains Its Implementation of AI Tools for New Divinity Game

The developer behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its new project, generating a wave of anticipation within the gaming community. However, subsequent comments from the company's lead designer have added nuance to the narrative, focusing on the team's approach toward generative artificial intelligence.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a new message, the studio's founder detailed that the team is utilizing AI technology for specific preliminary tasks. These include fleshing out PowerPoint slides, creating rough artistic references, and creating placeholder copy.

Notably, Vincke made clear that the end content in the game will be authored exclusively by actual writers. "Our team is creating all the content manually," he said.

We are constantly growing our roster of writers and are busily assembling writing teams.

As this area is being explicitly called out — we presently have 23 concept artists and have roles to fill for more artists.

Everything we do is supplementary and designed to having people spend additional energy on making content.

Every AI system used well is a boost to a developer's workflow, not a substitute for their talent.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The admission of employing this technology initially generated unease among a segment of the player base. In response, Vincke offered additional elaboration on online platforms.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use the internet and reference books," he explained. "In the conceptual planning process we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then replace with hand-crafted concept art."

He added, "Our studio recruits artists for their unique talent, not for their capacity to follow what a AI generates."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's practical strategy to machine learning, defining its use into key pillars:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This includes motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using systems to rapidly prototype simple models of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts ahead of complete production.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how AI could in the future create emergent reactivity, especially in simulating unforeseen permutations in a complex RPG.

He clearly affirmed that key artistic domains — including music composition — are are in no way areas where the studio is cutting human involvement. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these precise positions.

"Our studio is neither releasing a game with machine-made assets, nor considering cutting creatives to swap them out with AI," Vincke concluded.