Larian Studios Explains Its Application of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity

The studio behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its next major project, sparking significant excitement within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's figurehead have brought clarity to the discussion, focusing on the team's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent clarification, Swen Vincke explained that the developer is utilizing machine learning for specific supporting purposes. These involve fleshing out presentation materials, producing early-stage visual ideas, and creating temporary text.

Crucially, Vincke emphasized that the final material in the game will be authored solely by real creatives. "Larian is writing everything in-house," he stated.

Larian is continuously expanding our team of concept artists and are currently forming narrative groups.

As visual development is being explicitly mentioned — we currently have 23 visual developers and have roles to fill for more talent.

All our efforts we do is incremental and aimed at having people spend more time on the creative process.

Any AI system used well is a boost to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their craft.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The news of AI usage at first generated concern among portions of the player base. In reply, Vincke provided more detail on social media.

"We use these tools to gather inspiration, in the same way we use search engines and reference books," he stated. "During the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then substitute with authentic concept art."

He continued, "Larian brings on creatives for their creative vision, not for their capacity to follow what a algorithm proposes."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had previously broken down the team's practical strategy to this technology, grouping its use into primary areas:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This includes motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like retargeting animations.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to speedily create basic mock-ups of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts before expensive development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how AI could eventually enhance emergent gameplay, particularly in simulating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He clearly noted that core creative areas — including writing — are are in no way areas where the team is cutting artistic input. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these precise positions.

"Larian is not launching a game with AI-generated content, nor planning on reducing teams to substitute them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.