Larian Studios Explains Its Application of Generative AI for New Divinity

The team behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just shown its upcoming project, creating significant excitement within the player base. However, subsequent statements from the company's figurehead have brought a new dimension to the narrative, touching on the developer's philosophy toward AI tools.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a new message, Larian's director explained that the developer is employing AI technology for specific supporting functions. These encompass fleshing out presentation materials, generating rough artistic references, and writing draft copy.

Crucially, Vincke made clear that the shipping material in the game will be crafted entirely by real creatives. "We are creating everything in-house," he affirmed.

Our studio is actively expanding our team of storytellers and are actively putting together narrative groups.

Given that visual development is being particularly referenced — we currently have 23 artistic staff and have positions available for more artists.

Each initiative we do is supplementary and aimed at letting our team spend additional energy on actual creation.

Every AI system used well is additive to a creative team routine, not a substitute for their craft.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The news of using AI initially sparked concern among some the community. In response, Vincke issued more elaboration on online platforms.

"At Larian, we employ these tools to research ideas, just like we use search engines and art books," he wrote. "In the initial ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then swap out with original illustrations."

He continued, "We've hired talent for their inherent skill, not for their ability to follow what a machine suggests."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had earlier outlined the studio's targeted approach to this technology, categorizing its use into three main areas:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to quickly build rough models of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts before complete development.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Investigating how machine learning could in the future facilitate emergent gameplay, specifically in managing dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.

He clearly affirmed that central narrative disciplines — such as writing — are not areas where the team is cutting human involvement. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these exact roles.

"Larian is neither launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering reducing staff to swap them out with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.