The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Clarifies Its Application of AI Tools for Upcoming Divinity
The studio behind acclaimed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its upcoming project, generating significant hype within the player base. However, recent comments from the studio's lead designer have introduced clarity to the narrative, touching on the studio's stance toward generative artificial intelligence.
Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs
In a latest clarification, Larian's director outlined that the company is utilizing machine learning for certain ancillary tasks. These include enhancing presentation materials, creating early-stage concept art, and writing temporary copy.
Notably, Vincke emphasized that the end assets in the game will be authored exclusively by actual writers. "Our team is writing everything in-house," he affirmed.
Our studio is continuously growing our team of storytellers and are actively forming writing teams.
Since visual development is being explicitly referenced — we currently have over twenty visual developers and have positions available for additional creatives.
Everything we do is additive and aimed at letting our team spend greater focus on actual creation.
Any machine learning application implemented properly is supplementary to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their talent.
Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision
The news of employing this technology originally sparked backlash among portions of the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke offered more detail on public forums.
"We use machine learning to gather inspiration, similar to we use the internet and reference books," he explained. "During the initial ideation stages we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then replace with hand-crafted illustrations."
He continued, "We've hired artists for their creative vision, not for their capacity to follow what a machine suggests."
Three Pillars of Practical Application
Vincke had previously detailed the studio's practical method to this technology, grouping its use into key functions:
- Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
- Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to rapidly prototype simple models of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts before full implementation.
- Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how AI could in the future enhance new forms of gameplay, particularly in creating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.
He explicitly noted that core creative disciplines — like writing — are not departments where the company is cutting human talent. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these exact positions.
"Larian is neither releasing a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on cutting teams to swap them out with AI," Vincke concluded.
