The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Details Its Use of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity Game
The studio behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its new project, generating a wave of hype within the gaming community. However, subsequent comments from the studio's lead designer have introduced nuance to the narrative, addressing the developer's philosophy toward machine learning.
Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs
In a recent statement, Swen Vincke detailed that the developer is utilizing AI technology for specific supporting purposes. These include enhancing presentation materials, generating rough artistic references, and creating placeholder copy.
Crucially, Vincke stressed that the shipping material in the game will be authored exclusively by actual writers. "Larian is developing all the content in-house," he stated.
Larian is continuously growing our roster of concept artists and are actively putting together writing teams.
As visual development is being specifically mentioned — we presently have 23 artistic staff and have positions available for additional artists.
Each initiative we do is additive and focused on enabling creatives to spend additional energy on making content.
Every AI system implemented properly is additive to a artist's routine, never a stand-in for their skill.
Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision
The admission of using AI at first provoked unease among some the fanbase. In response, Vincke offered more detail on public forums.
"We use AI tools to gather inspiration, in the same way we use search engines and reference books," he explained. "During the conceptual ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then swap out with hand-crafted illustrations."
He noted, "Larian brings on creatives for their creative vision, not for their capacity to follow what a AI generates."
Three Pillars of Practical Application
Vincke had in the past detailed the company's practical strategy to machine learning, categorizing its use into three main areas:
- Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like refining animations, audio processing, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
- Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to rapidly prototype basic versions of mechanics to experiment with concepts ahead of expensive production.
- Experimental Frontiers: Researching how AI could in the future create new forms of reactivity, specifically in managing player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.
He specifically stated that core creative areas — such as writing — are are in no way areas where the team is replacing artistic involvement. In fact, Larian is recruiting more in these exact positions.
"We are not shipping a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering cutting staff to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.
