Larian Studios Details Its Implementation of AI Tools for Next Divinity Game

The team behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its new project, generating significant excitement within the player base. However, recent remarks from the company's lead designer have added clarity to the discussion, addressing the team's stance toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent clarification, the studio's founder outlined that the company is employing generative AI for specific ancillary functions. These involve enhancing pitch decks, generating early-stage artistic references, and writing placeholder text.

Crucially, Vincke stressed that the final content in the game will be crafted entirely by human writers. "Our team is writing all the content manually," he said.

We are constantly increasing our pool of concept artists and are currently putting together writing teams.

As this area is being explicitly mentioned — we currently have 23 visual developers and have roles to fill for additional talent.

Each initiative we do is incremental and aimed at enabling creatives to spend additional energy on actual creation.

Any ML tool used well is additive to a creative team routine, never a stand-in for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The revelation of using AI originally sparked backlash among portions of the player base. In reply, Vincke issued additional detail on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ machine learning to gather inspiration, similar to we use search engines and physical media," he wrote. "During the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for layout which we then substitute with original artwork."

He continued, "We've hired artists for their inherent skill, not for their ability to execute what a algorithm proposes."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past outlined the company's practical method to AI and ML, defining its use into primary functions:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to speedily create basic models of scenarios to validate concepts prior to complete implementation.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could in the future facilitate new forms of reactivity, specifically in managing player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly affirmed that key artistic domains — like music composition — are not departments where the company is replacing creative input. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these precise roles.

"We are not launching a game with AI-generated content, nor looking at trimming down staff to swap them out with AI," Vincke stated definitively.