The Divinity Developer Details Its Application of Machine Learning for New Project

The studio behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its next major project, sparking immense hype within the industry. However, subsequent remarks from the company's co-founder have added a new dimension to the narrative, focusing on the team's philosophy toward AI tools.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a new statement, Larian's director explained that the team is using AI technology for certain preliminary functions. These include fleshing out pitch decks, generating rough artistic references, and drafting draft text.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the shipping material in the game will be authored exclusively by actual writers. "We are creating everything ourselves," he said.

Our studio is continuously increasing our pool of concept artists and are currently putting together dedicated writer rooms.

Since concept art is being explicitly called out — we currently have over twenty concept artists and have positions available for additional artists.

All our efforts we do is incremental and designed to having people spend more time on the creative process.

Any AI system applied correctly is supplementary to a artist's workflow, not a substitute for their skill.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The admission of using AI at first generated unease among some the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke offered more detail on online platforms.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to research ideas, just like we use search engines and reference books," he explained. "During the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then replace with original illustrations."

He added, "Our studio recruits talent for their inherent skill, not for their willingness to follow what a algorithm proposes."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had earlier detailed the team's focused strategy to this technology, categorizing its use into key functions:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like polishing mocap data, voice editing, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to quickly build rough versions of mechanics to test concepts before full production.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Exploring how machine learning could in the future enhance emergent player agency, especially in creating unforeseen permutations in a complex RPG.

He explicitly noted that core creative domains — like music composition — are are in no way fields where the team is reducing artistic input. In fact, Larian is recruiting more in these very fields.

"Larian is not shipping a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not considering cutting staff to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.