🔗 Share this article The Divinity Developer Details Its Application of AI Tools for Next Project The team behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its new project, generating significant anticipation within the gaming community. However, recent comments from the studio's co-founder have added nuance to the discussion, touching on the developer's stance toward generative artificial intelligence. A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement In a new clarification, Larian's director outlined that the developer is utilizing generative AI for specific preliminary purposes. These encompass fleshing out pitch decks, producing early-stage artistic references, and writing placeholder text. Crucially, Vincke stressed that the shipping material in the game will be authored solely by real writers. "Our team is creating everything manually," he said. Our studio is continuously expanding our roster of writers and are busily forming narrative groups. Since concept art is being explicitly called out — we presently have 23 concept artists and have job openings for additional talent. Everything we do is incremental and aimed at having people spend additional energy on actual creation. Any ML tool applied correctly is additive to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their talent. Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision The admission of employing this technology originally sparked concern among portions of the player base. In response, Vincke provided further detail on social media. "At Larian, we employ AI tools to explore references, similar to we use the internet and physical media," he explained. "During the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then replace with authentic artwork." He continued, "Larian brings on creatives for their creative vision, not for their willingness to execute what a algorithm proposes." Key Areas of AI Integration Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's targeted strategy to this technology, defining its use into three main areas: Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like refining animations, voice editing, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species. Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create rough mock-ups of scenarios to test concepts before complete implementation. Experimental Frontiers: Researching how machine learning could one day create emergent gameplay, specifically in managing unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe. He clearly noted that central narrative areas — like visual art — are are in no way areas where the team is cutting artistic talent. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these very roles. "Our studio is neither shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor looking at reducing creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke concluded.
The team behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its new project, generating significant anticipation within the gaming community. However, recent comments from the studio's co-founder have added nuance to the discussion, touching on the developer's stance toward generative artificial intelligence. A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement In a new clarification, Larian's director outlined that the developer is utilizing generative AI for specific preliminary purposes. These encompass fleshing out pitch decks, producing early-stage artistic references, and writing placeholder text. Crucially, Vincke stressed that the shipping material in the game will be authored solely by real writers. "Our team is creating everything manually," he said. Our studio is continuously expanding our roster of writers and are busily forming narrative groups. Since concept art is being explicitly called out — we presently have 23 concept artists and have job openings for additional talent. Everything we do is incremental and aimed at having people spend additional energy on actual creation. Any ML tool applied correctly is additive to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their talent. Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision The admission of employing this technology originally sparked concern among portions of the player base. In response, Vincke provided further detail on social media. "At Larian, we employ AI tools to explore references, similar to we use the internet and physical media," he explained. "During the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then replace with authentic artwork." He continued, "Larian brings on creatives for their creative vision, not for their willingness to execute what a algorithm proposes." Key Areas of AI Integration Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's targeted strategy to this technology, defining its use into three main areas: Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like refining animations, voice editing, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species. Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create rough mock-ups of scenarios to test concepts before complete implementation. Experimental Frontiers: Researching how machine learning could one day create emergent gameplay, specifically in managing unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe. He clearly noted that central narrative areas — like visual art — are are in no way areas where the team is cutting artistic talent. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these very roles. "Our studio is neither shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor looking at reducing creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke concluded.