Larian Studios Clarifies Its Application of Generative AI for Next Divinity

The team behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its next major project, sparking immense hype within the gaming community. However, follow-up comments from the studio's co-founder have introduced clarity to the conversation, touching on the studio's stance toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest message, Swen Vincke detailed that the company is using generative AI for specific preliminary tasks. These involve developing pitch decks, producing rough concept art, and creating draft copy.

Importantly, Vincke stressed that the end content in the game will be authored exclusively by human creatives. "We are creating all the content in-house," he affirmed.

Larian is continuously expanding our roster of storytellers and are busily forming dedicated writer rooms.

As concept art is being specifically referenced — we right now have 23 concept artists and have roles to fill for more creatives.

Each initiative we do is supplementary and designed to enabling creatives to spend greater focus on actual creation.

Every AI system applied correctly is supplementary to a artist's process, not a replacement for their skill.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The revelation of employing this technology initially generated backlash among a segment of the community. In reply, Vincke issued further elaboration on social media.

"We use AI tools to gather inspiration, in the same way we use search engines and physical media," he stated. "In the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for layout which we then swap out with authentic artwork."

He continued, "We've hired artists for their unique talent, not for their capacity to follow what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past outlined the team's practical strategy to AI and ML, defining its use into primary pillars:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using tools to rapidly prototype rough versions of scenarios to test concepts prior to expensive implementation.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how AI could one day facilitate emergent player agency, particularly in creating dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.

He explicitly stated that core creative areas — like writing — are are absolutely not departments where the company is cutting creative input. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these very positions.

"Larian is not releasing a game with machine-made assets, nor planning on trimming down staff to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.