Larian Studios Explains Its Implementation of Machine Learning for Upcoming Divinity Game

The studio behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its upcoming project, sparking significant anticipation within the player base. However, follow-up comments from the studio's co-founder have brought clarity to the conversation, addressing the studio's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new statement, Swen Vincke detailed that the company is utilizing generative AI for particular supporting tasks. These encompass developing PowerPoint slides, creating rough visual ideas, and drafting temporary text.

Crucially, Vincke made clear that the shipping assets in the game will be crafted solely by human artists. "Our team is creating every line ourselves," he stated.

Our studio is actively growing our team of writers and are actively forming narrative groups.

As visual development is being particularly mentioned — we presently have 23 concept artists and have positions available for additional creatives.

All our efforts we do is additive and aimed at enabling creatives to spend greater focus on making content.

Every AI system applied correctly is a boost to a developer's workflow, not a replacement for their skill.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The news of AI usage originally generated unease among some the community. In reply, Vincke provided further clarification on social media.

"Our team utilizes machine learning to explore references, just like we use Google and physical media," he explained. "During the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for composition which we then substitute with original artwork."

He continued, "We've hired talent for their inherent skill, not for their ability to replicate what a AI generates."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past broken down the company's focused strategy to this technology, grouping its use into primary areas:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to rapidly prototype simple models of scenarios to validate concepts ahead of complete production.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could in the future facilitate new forms of reactivity, especially in creating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He explicitly affirmed that key artistic domains — like writing — are are in no way departments where the company is replacing human talent. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these exact fields.

"Larian is not shipping a game with AI-generated content, nor planning on trimming down staff to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.