Larian Studios Clarifies Its Use of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity Game

The team behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its new project, creating immense hype within the gaming community. However, subsequent comments from the studio's figurehead have brought nuance to the narrative, touching on the studio's approach toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest message, Larian's director detailed that the team is employing AI technology for particular preliminary functions. These include fleshing out pitch decks, generating rough artistic references, and drafting placeholder dialogue.

Crucially, Vincke emphasized that the shipping assets in the game will be crafted solely by actual writers. "Larian is developing all the content ourselves," he stated.

Larian is constantly expanding our roster of writers and are currently forming writing teams.

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

Each initiative we do is additive and aimed at letting our team spend more time on the creative process.

Any AI system implemented properly is supplementary to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of employing this technology at first provoked backlash among portions of the player base. In reaction, Vincke issued additional elaboration on social media.

"At Larian, we employ machine learning to explore references, just like we use Google and physical media," he explained. "During the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then substitute with authentic illustrations."

He noted, "We've hired artists for their unique talent, not for their ability to execute what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past outlined the studio's focused approach to this technology, categorizing its use into primary pillars:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using systems to rapidly prototype rough versions of mechanics to test concepts prior to expensive development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how machine learning could in the future facilitate new forms of gameplay, particularly in creating player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.

He explicitly noted that key artistic areas — like visual art — are are absolutely not departments where the company is cutting artistic involvement. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these very roles.

"We are not shipping a game with any AI components, nor considering reducing teams to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.