Larian Studios Clarifies Its Implementation of AI Tools for Upcoming Divinity Game

The studio behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just shown its next major project, creating significant excitement within the industry. However, follow-up remarks from the company's co-founder have added a new dimension to the conversation, addressing the team's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new clarification, Swen Vincke explained that the team is utilizing machine learning for certain preliminary purposes. These include fleshing out presentation materials, creating early-stage visual ideas, and writing placeholder text.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the final assets in the game will be created solely by real writers. "Our team is writing every line ourselves," he stated.

We are continuously increasing our team of concept artists and are busily forming narrative groups.

Given that this area is being particularly mentioned — we presently have twenty-three concept artists and have roles to fill for additional talent.

All our efforts we do is incremental and focused on enabling creatives to spend more time on making content.

Any machine learning application applied correctly is a boost to a developer's process, not a replacement for their craft.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The admission of using AI at first sparked backlash among a segment of the player base. In reply, Vincke provided additional clarification on social media.

"We use these tools to explore references, in the same way we use Google and physical media," he explained. "During the initial planning process we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then replace with original concept art."

He noted, "We've hired artists for their creative vision, not for their capacity to replicate what a AI generates."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had earlier broken down the company's practical method to this technology, categorizing its use into primary functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This includes motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to quickly build basic mock-ups of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts before complete development.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how AI could one day enhance new forms of player agency, particularly in creating unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe.

He specifically noted that key artistic areas — including writing — are are absolutely not areas where the team is replacing human input. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these very fields.

"Our studio is neither launching a game with machine-made assets, nor considering reducing teams to substitute them with AI," Vincke concluded.