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

The team behind popular titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its next major project, generating immense hype within the player base. However, subsequent comments from the studio's co-founder have introduced clarity to the discussion, focusing on the developer's approach toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest statement, Larian's director detailed that the team is utilizing generative AI for certain supporting purposes. These involve fleshing out presentation materials, generating initial concept art, and creating draft text.

Crucially, Vincke stressed that the final content in the game will be crafted exclusively by human writers. "Our team is creating all the content in-house," he affirmed.

Larian is constantly increasing our team of writers and are actively forming narrative groups.

Since concept art is being particularly called out — we currently have 23 concept artists and have positions available for more creatives.

All our efforts we do is incremental and focused on having people spend greater focus on actual creation.

Any ML tool implemented properly is supplementary to a creative team workflow, not a replacement for their talent.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The admission of employing this technology at first sparked unease among some the community. In response, Vincke issued additional clarification on social media.

"At Larian, we employ these tools to explore references, just like we use Google and physical media," he explained. "During the very early ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then substitute with authentic artwork."

He noted, "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 broken down the studio's targeted approach to this technology, categorizing its use into key areas:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses polishing mocap data, audio processing, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create basic versions of gameplay ideas to test concepts ahead of expensive implementation.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how AI could in the future enhance new forms of player agency, particularly in managing player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly stated that central narrative domains — such as writing — are are in no way departments where the team is cutting human involvement. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact roles.

"Larian is neither launching a game with machine-made assets, nor considering cutting creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.