Larian Studios Explains Its Implementation of AI Tools for New Divinity

The studio behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently shown its next major project, generating significant hype within the player base. However, follow-up comments from the studio's lead designer have introduced clarity to the narrative, focusing on the developer's stance toward generative artificial intelligence.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest message, the studio's founder outlined that the company is using generative AI for certain supporting tasks. These encompass enhancing presentation materials, producing early-stage visual ideas, and creating draft dialogue.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the end content in the game will be authored entirely by real artists. "Larian is developing everything in-house," he said.

Larian is continuously growing our team of concept artists and are busily forming dedicated writer rooms.

As this area is being explicitly mentioned — we presently have 23 visual developers and have job openings for additional creatives.

Everything we do is incremental and designed to having people spend greater focus on the creative process.

Every machine learning application used well is supplementary to a developer's workflow, not a replacement for their talent.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The revelation of AI usage at first provoked backlash among some the player base. In reaction, Vincke issued additional clarification on social media.

"Our team utilizes these tools to research ideas, similar to we use search engines and physical media," he explained. "During the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then swap out with authentic illustrations."

He noted, "Larian brings on creatives for their creative vision, not for their willingness to execute what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past broken down the company's targeted method to AI and ML, grouping its use into three main areas:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like refining animations, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using systems to speedily create basic versions of mechanics to validate concepts before complete production.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how machine learning could one day facilitate innovative reactivity, specifically in simulating player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.

He specifically stated that core creative disciplines — like music composition — are not fields where the studio is reducing human input. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these very roles.

"Larian is not launching a game with machine-made assets, nor looking at reducing staff to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.