Larian Studios Explains Its Implementation of Generative AI for Next Divinity Game

The developer behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its upcoming project, sparking significant anticipation within the gaming community. However, subsequent remarks from the company's co-founder have introduced nuance to the discussion, focusing on the team's philosophy toward AI tools.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a recent message, Swen Vincke detailed that the company is using machine learning for specific supporting tasks. These involve fleshing out PowerPoint slides, creating early-stage concept art, and creating placeholder copy.

Crucially, Vincke stressed that the shipping content in the game will be crafted exclusively by actual writers. "Our team is developing every line in-house," he said.

Our studio is actively expanding our pool of concept artists and are currently assembling writing teams.

Since this area is being specifically referenced — we right now have 23 artistic staff and have positions available for additional artists.

All our efforts we do is additive and focused on enabling creatives to spend additional energy on making content.

Every AI system implemented properly is additive to a developer's process, not a substitute for their craft.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The news of employing this technology at first sparked unease among some the fanbase. In reply, Vincke issued more detail on online platforms.

"We use AI tools to research ideas, in the same way we use the internet and art books," he wrote. "In the initial ideation stages we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then swap out with authentic artwork."

He added, "Larian brings on creatives for their inherent skill, not for their ability to replicate what a machine suggests."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past broken down the company's practical approach to this technology, categorizing its use into three main pillars:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like retargeting animations.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using technology to rapidly prototype rough mock-ups of scenarios to test concepts before complete development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how machine learning could eventually create new forms of reactivity, particularly in managing dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.

He explicitly noted that central narrative domains — such as writing — are are absolutely not fields where the company is cutting human talent. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact fields.

"Our studio is not launching a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not looking at reducing teams to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.