Larian Studios Details Its Use of AI Tools for Next Divinity

The team behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its new project, generating immense excitement within the gaming community. However, subsequent remarks from the company's co-founder have introduced nuance to the discussion, touching on the developer's approach toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest message, Swen Vincke detailed that the developer is utilizing AI technology for specific supporting purposes. These include developing PowerPoint slides, creating initial concept art, and writing placeholder dialogue.

Importantly, Vincke emphasized that the end assets in the game will be crafted entirely by real artists. "Larian is creating every line ourselves," he stated.

Our studio is constantly growing our roster of storytellers and are currently forming dedicated writer rooms.

Since this area is being explicitly referenced — we currently have 23 artistic staff and have roles to fill for further talent.

All our efforts we do is incremental and aimed at enabling creatives to spend greater focus on making content.

Any ML tool implemented properly is supplementary to a developer's process, never a stand-in for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of AI usage at first generated concern among some the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke provided further elaboration on social media.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to research ideas, just like we use search engines and reference books," he wrote. "During the initial planning process we use it as a basic framework for composition which we then swap out with hand-crafted illustrations."

He continued, "Our studio recruits creatives for their creative vision, not for their ability to execute what a algorithm proposes."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had previously outlined the studio's practical approach to AI and ML, defining its use into key areas:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to rapidly prototype rough versions of gameplay ideas to validate concepts ahead of full production.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how machine learning could one day create innovative player agency, particularly in managing dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.

He explicitly stated that core creative domains — such as writing — are are absolutely not departments where the team is reducing human talent. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these precise roles.

"Our studio is neither releasing a game with any AI components, nor planning on reducing staff to replace them with AI," Vincke summarized.