Larian Studios Details Its Use of AI Tools for New Divinity
The developer behind acclaimed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its new project, generating significant excitement within the player base. However, recent statements from the studio's co-founder have added clarity to the discussion, focusing on the studio's philosophy toward machine learning.
Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs
In a new statement, Larian's director outlined that the team is employing machine learning for certain supporting functions. These involve developing pitch decks, creating rough artistic references, and creating draft text.
Crucially, Vincke made clear that the final material in the game will be created exclusively by real writers. "We are writing all the content in-house," he affirmed.
We are constantly increasing our team of writers and are busily assembling narrative groups.
As visual development is being specifically called out — we right now have over twenty visual developers and have positions available for more creatives.
All our efforts we do is incremental and designed to enabling creatives to spend additional energy on making content.
Any ML tool applied correctly is supplementary to a developer's routine, never a stand-in for their skill.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The revelation of employing this technology initially provoked unease among some the community. In response, Vincke issued additional clarification on public forums.
"We use these tools to explore references, just like we use Google and reference books," he wrote. "During the initial planning process we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then replace with authentic illustrations."
He added, "Larian brings on talent for their inherent skill, not for their ability to execute what a machine suggests."
Three Pillars of Practical Application
Vincke had earlier detailed the company's targeted strategy to AI and ML, grouping its use into key areas:
- Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like retargeting animations.
- Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using tools to quickly build basic versions of gameplay ideas to test concepts before full production.
- Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how AI could one day facilitate emergent gameplay, specifically in managing dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.
He explicitly stated that key artistic domains — like music composition — are not fields where the team is replacing artistic involvement. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact positions.
"Our studio is neither releasing a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not looking at trimming down teams to substitute them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.
