Larian Studios Clarifies Its Use of Machine Learning for Upcoming Divinity

The developer behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its upcoming project, sparking significant anticipation within the industry. However, recent comments from the company's figurehead have introduced a new dimension to the conversation, touching on the studio's philosophy toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent statement, Swen Vincke explained that the developer is utilizing machine learning for particular ancillary purposes. These encompass developing pitch decks, creating early-stage visual ideas, and writing draft copy.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the shipping assets in the game will be crafted solely by real writers. "Larian is creating everything ourselves," he affirmed.

Larian is continuously expanding our pool of storytellers and are currently putting together dedicated writer rooms.

Since concept art is being particularly called out — we currently have twenty-three concept artists and have roles to fill for additional creatives.

Everything we do is additive and aimed at having people spend more time on making content.

Any machine learning application applied correctly is additive to a artist's process, never a stand-in for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The admission of using AI at first generated unease among some the community. In reaction, Vincke provided additional clarification on public forums.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to research ideas, just like we use the internet and reference books," he wrote. "During the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then substitute with original concept art."

He noted, "Our studio recruits artists for their creative vision, not for their willingness to follow what a algorithm proposes."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had previously detailed the company's focused strategy to this technology, grouping its use into key functions:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using technology to speedily create basic versions of gameplay ideas to validate concepts prior to complete implementation.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how machine learning could eventually create new forms of gameplay, especially in creating player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.

He explicitly stated that central narrative areas — including music composition — are are absolutely not departments where the studio is replacing artistic input. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these very fields.

"We are neither releasing a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not considering cutting staff to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.