Larian Studios Details Its Use of Machine Learning for Next Divinity Game
The developer behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its next major project, generating significant anticipation within the player base. However, subsequent comments from the studio's co-founder have brought a new dimension to the discussion, touching on the developer's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.
Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs
In a recent clarification, the studio's founder detailed that the team is utilizing generative AI for certain supporting functions. These include enhancing PowerPoint slides, producing initial concept art, and writing placeholder copy.
Crucially, Vincke stressed that the final content in the game will be authored solely by human creatives. "Our team is writing everything manually," he affirmed.
We are constantly increasing our pool of concept artists and are currently assembling narrative groups.
Since concept art is being explicitly referenced — we currently have twenty-three artistic staff and have job openings for further artists.
All our efforts we do is additive and designed to having people spend more time on making content.
Any ML tool applied correctly is supplementary to a creative team routine, not a substitute for their talent.
Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path
The revelation of using AI initially provoked concern among some the player base. In response, Vincke provided further clarification on social media.
"At Larian, we employ AI tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use search engines and reference books," he wrote. "During the conceptual ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then swap out with original artwork."
He continued, "Larian brings on creatives for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to follow what a AI generates."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had in the past detailed the team's practical strategy to this technology, grouping its use into three main pillars:
- Streamlining Repetitive Work: This encompasses polishing mocap data, voice editing, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to quickly build basic mock-ups of gameplay ideas to validate concepts before full production.
- Experimental Frontiers: Researching how machine learning could eventually facilitate new forms of gameplay, specifically in managing dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.
He clearly noted that key artistic areas — including visual art — are are absolutely not areas where the team is cutting human input. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these exact roles.
"We are neither shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor planning on trimming down creatives to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.
