Larian Studios Details Its Use of Generative AI for Next Divinity Game

The developer behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its upcoming project, generating a wave of anticipation within the industry. However, subsequent comments from the company's co-founder have brought a new dimension to the conversation, addressing the developer's philosophy toward machine learning.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a latest clarification, the studio's founder explained that the developer is utilizing machine learning for specific supporting purposes. These encompass fleshing out PowerPoint slides, creating rough concept art, and drafting draft text.

Crucially, Vincke stressed that the end material in the game will be authored solely by human creatives. "We are creating every line in-house," he affirmed.

Our studio is actively increasing our roster of storytellers and are actively assembling writing teams.

Since visual development is being explicitly referenced — we right now have over twenty artistic staff and have roles to fill for further talent.

All our efforts we do is supplementary and aimed at letting our team spend additional energy on actual creation.

Every ML tool used well is additive to a creative team workflow, never a stand-in for their talent.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The admission of using AI at first generated concern among portions of the player base. In reply, Vincke provided further detail on public forums.

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

He added, "Larian brings on talent for their inherent skill, not for their ability to replicate what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had previously broken down the team's targeted strategy to machine learning, defining its use into primary functions:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to speedily create simple mock-ups of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts before full development.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how machine learning could eventually facilitate emergent player agency, especially in creating unforeseen permutations in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly affirmed that key artistic disciplines — including writing — are are in no way departments where the team is cutting creative talent. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these very fields.

"Larian is neither releasing a game with machine-made assets, nor looking at trimming down creatives to swap them out with AI," Vincke summarized.