The Divinity Developer Explains Its Use of AI Tools for Next Project

The team behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just shown its upcoming project, sparking significant hype within the player base. However, follow-up statements from the company's figurehead have added clarity to the narrative, focusing on the team's approach toward generative artificial intelligence.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a new clarification, Larian's director detailed that the developer is utilizing generative AI for particular ancillary functions. These include developing pitch decks, producing rough visual ideas, and drafting draft copy.

Importantly, Vincke emphasized that the shipping content in the game will be created exclusively by actual creatives. "Larian is developing every line manually," he said.

Our studio is constantly increasing our team of concept artists and are busily putting together narrative groups.

Since visual development is being explicitly referenced — we right now have over twenty concept artists and have job openings for more artists.

All our efforts we do is additive and focused on letting our team spend additional energy on actual creation.

Every AI system applied correctly is supplementary to a creative team routine, never a stand-in for their skill.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The revelation of AI usage originally generated backlash among a segment of the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke offered additional elaboration on social media.

"At Larian, we employ machine learning to explore references, in the same way we use search engines and reference books," he wrote. "In the initial ideation stages we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then replace with original illustrations."

He continued, "Our studio recruits artists for their creative vision, not for their willingness to follow what a machine suggests."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had earlier outlined the studio's focused method to AI and ML, categorizing its use into primary functions:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using systems to rapidly prototype basic versions of scenarios to validate concepts prior to complete development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Exploring how AI could in the future create new forms of gameplay, specifically in managing player-driven narratives in a complex RPG.

He specifically noted that core creative domains — like visual art — are are in no way fields where the company is cutting artistic input. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these precise positions.

"Larian is neither shipping a game with AI-generated content, nor considering reducing teams to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.