Larian Studios Explains Its Implementation of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity

The studio behind acclaimed role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently shown its upcoming project, sparking immense anticipation within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the company's co-founder have added a new dimension to the narrative, touching on the team's approach toward generative artificial intelligence.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a new statement, Swen Vincke outlined that the team is using AI technology for certain ancillary functions. These include enhancing presentation materials, generating rough visual ideas, and writing temporary dialogue.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the end content in the game will be created solely by human writers. "Our team is developing all the content in-house," he said.

Larian is constantly expanding our pool of storytellers and are busily assembling writing teams.

Given that concept art is being explicitly referenced — we currently have 23 concept artists and have positions available for additional creatives.

Each initiative we do is supplementary and focused on enabling creatives to spend additional energy on making content.

Any ML tool used well is a boost to a creative team routine, never a stand-in for their talent.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The revelation of employing this technology initially sparked unease among a segment of the player base. In response, Vincke offered more clarification on public forums.

"We use machine learning to research ideas, similar to we use search engines and physical media," he wrote. "During the conceptual ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for composition which we then replace with hand-crafted concept art."

He continued, "We've hired talent for their creative vision, not for their willingness to execute what a algorithm proposes."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had previously detailed the company's focused approach to this technology, categorizing its use into key areas:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This includes polishing mocap data, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to rapidly prototype rough mock-ups of mechanics to experiment with concepts prior to expensive production.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Investigating how AI could in the future enhance emergent player agency, especially in simulating dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly noted that core creative areas — such as visual art — are are absolutely not fields where the team is cutting human talent. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these exact fields.

"Our studio is neither shipping a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering cutting staff to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.