The Divinity Developer Clarifies Its Implementation of AI Tools for New Project

The studio behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its new project, creating significant anticipation within the player base. However, subsequent remarks from the studio's lead designer have introduced a new dimension to the conversation, addressing the studio's approach toward machine learning.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a latest statement, Swen Vincke detailed that the company is utilizing AI technology for specific supporting tasks. These include developing PowerPoint slides, generating rough artistic references, and writing draft copy.

Importantly, Vincke stressed that the end assets in the game will be created exclusively by real artists. "We are developing every line in-house," he stated.

We are constantly expanding our pool of storytellers and are actively forming narrative groups.

As visual development is being explicitly mentioned — we right now have over twenty artistic staff and have positions available for more talent.

Each initiative we do is supplementary and focused on letting our team spend greater focus on actual creation.

Any machine learning application used well is supplementary to a artist's workflow, never a stand-in for their skill.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The admission of using AI originally provoked unease among portions of the community. In reaction, Vincke offered more detail on social media.

"At Larian, we employ these tools to research ideas, similar to we use search engines and reference books," he explained. "In the conceptual planning process we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then substitute with original illustrations."

He noted, "Our studio recruits creatives for their unique talent, not for their willingness to execute what a AI generates."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had earlier broken down the company's focused approach to this technology, defining its use into primary functions:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like refining animations, voice editing, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to rapidly prototype rough models of gameplay ideas to validate concepts prior to expensive implementation.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how machine learning could one day enhance new forms of player agency, particularly in creating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He specifically affirmed that central narrative disciplines — including visual art — are are in no way fields where the studio is reducing creative input. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these very roles.

"Larian is not shipping a game with any AI components, nor considering cutting staff to replace them with AI," Vincke summarized.