The Divinity Developer Details Its Application of Generative AI for Next Project
The developer behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just shown its new project, sparking significant excitement within the gaming community. However, follow-up comments from the studio's figurehead have brought a new dimension to the discussion, addressing the developer's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.
AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute
In a latest statement, Swen Vincke detailed that the developer is utilizing AI technology for certain supporting tasks. These include fleshing out PowerPoint slides, generating rough concept art, and creating temporary copy.
Notably, Vincke made clear that the shipping content in the game will be crafted entirely by actual writers. "Larian is writing everything ourselves," he stated.
We are actively growing our pool of storytellers and are currently forming dedicated writer rooms.
Since concept art is being explicitly called out — we presently have over twenty visual developers and have roles to fill for additional creatives.
Each initiative we do is supplementary and designed to having people spend more time on making content.
Every ML tool applied correctly is additive to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their talent.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The admission of using AI at first generated backlash among some the fanbase. In reply, Vincke issued further detail on social media.
"We use these tools to research ideas, in the same way we use search engines and art books," he wrote. "During the conceptual planning process we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then substitute with hand-crafted concept art."
He added, "Larian brings on artists for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to execute what a algorithm proposes."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had earlier detailed the studio's targeted method to machine learning, grouping its use into three main functions:
- Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using systems to speedily create rough versions of mechanics to validate concepts before complete production.
- Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how machine learning could eventually create new forms of reactivity, specifically in simulating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.
He specifically stated that core creative disciplines — like writing — are are absolutely not fields where the studio is cutting human input. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these very positions.
"Larian is neither launching a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not planning on trimming down creatives to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.
