Larian Studios Details Its Application of Generative AI for Next Divinity
The developer behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its next major project, sparking immense excitement within the industry. However, follow-up comments from the studio's figurehead have added clarity to the narrative, addressing the team's stance toward generative artificial intelligence.
A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement
In a recent message, Swen Vincke detailed that the developer is using generative AI for certain supporting functions. These encompass enhancing PowerPoint slides, creating early-stage concept art, and drafting temporary text.
Notably, Vincke made clear that the shipping assets in the game will be authored solely by real artists. "Larian is writing everything ourselves," he stated.
Larian is actively growing our pool of writers and are actively putting together narrative groups.
As this area is being particularly mentioned — we right now have over twenty artistic staff and have positions available for additional artists.
Each initiative we do is supplementary and aimed at having people spend greater focus on the creative process.
Any machine learning application applied correctly is a boost to a artist's routine, not a replacement for their craft.
Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision
The revelation of using AI initially provoked unease among some the community. In reaction, Vincke provided additional detail on social media.
"At Larian, we employ these tools to research ideas, just like we use the internet and art books," he wrote. "In the very early planning process we use it as a basic framework for composition which we then replace with original artwork."
He continued, "We've hired creatives for their unique talent, not for their willingness to execute what a machine suggests."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had in the past detailed the company's focused strategy to AI and ML, categorizing its use into key areas:
- Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses refining animations, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to rapidly prototype basic versions of scenarios to validate concepts ahead of expensive production.
- Future Potential for Gameplay: Exploring how AI could in the future enhance innovative reactivity, especially in managing player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.
He explicitly stated that key artistic domains — such as visual art — are are absolutely not areas where the team is reducing creative involvement. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these exact fields.
"Larian is not releasing a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not looking at cutting teams to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.
