🔗 Share this article The Divinity Developer Explains Its Use of Machine Learning for Next Divinity The studio behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its upcoming project, generating significant hype within the gaming community. However, subsequent statements from the company's co-founder have added nuance to the conversation, focusing on the team's approach toward machine learning. Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs In a new clarification, Swen Vincke detailed that the developer is using generative AI for particular supporting tasks. These include enhancing pitch decks, generating early-stage visual ideas, and writing temporary dialogue. Crucially, Vincke stressed that the end content in the game will be created entirely by real writers. "Larian is creating every line in-house," he affirmed. We are continuously growing our team of writers and are actively forming narrative groups. As concept art is being explicitly called out — we currently have 23 concept artists and have job openings for further artists. All our efforts we do is additive and designed to letting our team spend greater focus on the creative process. Any AI system applied correctly is supplementary to a artist's routine, never a stand-in for their skill. Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision The news of using AI originally sparked backlash among some the community. In reply, Vincke provided additional clarification on public forums. "Our team utilizes machine learning to gather inspiration, just like we use the internet and art books," he wrote. "In the initial planning process we use it as a simple sketch for layout which we then substitute with hand-crafted concept art." He noted, "Larian brings on talent for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to replicate what a machine suggests." Key Areas of AI Integration Vincke had earlier detailed the studio's focused approach to machine learning, grouping its use into three main areas: Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and technical processes like retargeting animations. Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to quickly build simple versions of mechanics to test concepts ahead of full implementation. Experimental Frontiers: Researching how machine learning could in the future facilitate innovative gameplay, specifically in simulating dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world. He specifically affirmed that central narrative areas — including music composition — are are absolutely not departments where the team is reducing creative talent. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these exact roles. "Larian is not launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering reducing staff to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.
The studio behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its upcoming project, generating significant hype within the gaming community. However, subsequent statements from the company's co-founder have added nuance to the conversation, focusing on the team's approach toward machine learning. Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs In a new clarification, Swen Vincke detailed that the developer is using generative AI for particular supporting tasks. These include enhancing pitch decks, generating early-stage visual ideas, and writing temporary dialogue. Crucially, Vincke stressed that the end content in the game will be created entirely by real writers. "Larian is creating every line in-house," he affirmed. We are continuously growing our team of writers and are actively forming narrative groups. As concept art is being explicitly called out — we currently have 23 concept artists and have job openings for further artists. All our efforts we do is additive and designed to letting our team spend greater focus on the creative process. Any AI system applied correctly is supplementary to a artist's routine, never a stand-in for their skill. Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision The news of using AI originally sparked backlash among some the community. In reply, Vincke provided additional clarification on public forums. "Our team utilizes machine learning to gather inspiration, just like we use the internet and art books," he wrote. "In the initial planning process we use it as a simple sketch for layout which we then substitute with hand-crafted concept art." He noted, "Larian brings on talent for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to replicate what a machine suggests." Key Areas of AI Integration Vincke had earlier detailed the studio's focused approach to machine learning, grouping its use into three main areas: Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and technical processes like retargeting animations. Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to quickly build simple versions of mechanics to test concepts ahead of full implementation. Experimental Frontiers: Researching how machine learning could in the future facilitate innovative gameplay, specifically in simulating dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world. He specifically affirmed that central narrative areas — including music composition — are are absolutely not departments where the team is reducing creative talent. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these exact roles. "Larian is not launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering reducing staff to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.