Larian Studios Clarifies Its Use of AI Tools for Upcoming Divinity Game
The team behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently shown its upcoming project, sparking significant excitement within the industry. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's figurehead have brought nuance to the narrative, focusing on the developer's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.
AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute
In a latest statement, the studio's founder explained that the developer is using AI technology for particular supporting purposes. These involve enhancing pitch decks, generating early-stage concept art, and writing temporary text.
Notably, Vincke made clear that the end material in the game will be created solely by human writers. "We are developing every line manually," he affirmed.
Our studio is constantly expanding our pool of writers and are currently forming dedicated writer rooms.
Given that visual development is being explicitly mentioned — we presently have over twenty visual developers and have job openings for further creatives.
All our efforts we do is supplementary and focused on letting our team spend additional energy on the creative process.
Every AI system applied correctly is a boost to a artist's workflow, not a substitute for their talent.
Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path
The admission of AI usage initially provoked unease among a segment of the fanbase. In response, Vincke issued more detail on online platforms.
"We use these tools to research ideas, similar to we use Google and art books," he explained. "During the conceptual planning process we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then replace with hand-crafted illustrations."
He continued, "Larian brings on artists for their creative vision, not for their willingness to replicate what a AI generates."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had previously broken down the studio's focused approach to this technology, defining its use into key areas:
- Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like retargeting animations.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to quickly build basic mock-ups of gameplay ideas to validate concepts ahead of expensive production.
- Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could in the future create new forms of reactivity, specifically in simulating unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe.
He specifically noted that key artistic areas — including writing — are are absolutely not fields where the team is cutting human talent. In fact, Larian is recruiting more in these exact positions.
"Larian is neither shipping a game with any AI components, nor looking at cutting creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke concluded.