Larian Studios Clarifies Its Implementation of Generative AI for New Divinity Game

The developer behind acclaimed role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its next major project, sparking a wave of excitement within the industry. However, recent comments from the studio's co-founder have introduced clarity to the conversation, touching on the team's philosophy toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new statement, Larian's director detailed that the team is utilizing machine learning for specific supporting purposes. These include developing PowerPoint slides, creating rough visual ideas, and drafting draft dialogue.

Crucially, Vincke stressed that the end material in the game will be crafted solely by actual creatives. "Our team is creating all the content manually," he stated.

We are actively increasing our pool of writers and are busily putting together dedicated writer rooms.

As visual development is being particularly referenced — we presently have 23 concept artists and have positions available for more talent.

Everything we do is supplementary and designed to enabling creatives to spend greater focus on actual creation.

Every machine learning application applied correctly is additive to a creative team workflow, never a stand-in for their craft.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The news of AI usage at first generated concern among some the fanbase. In response, Vincke provided more detail on social media.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to research ideas, in the same way we use the internet and physical media," he stated. "During the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then substitute with original illustrations."

He noted, "Our studio recruits creatives for their creative vision, not for their capacity to execute what a machine suggests."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's focused method to machine learning, grouping its use into three main functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to speedily create rough mock-ups of scenarios to test concepts prior to complete production.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how AI could in the future facilitate new forms of reactivity, particularly in creating unforeseen permutations in a vast role-playing world.

He explicitly noted that core creative disciplines — like music composition — are are absolutely not areas where the company is cutting human input. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these very fields.

"Our studio is neither launching a game with machine-made assets, nor planning on reducing staff to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.