The Divinity Developer Clarifies Its Implementation of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity

The developer behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its new project, sparking immense excitement within the gaming community. However, subsequent statements from the studio's figurehead have added nuance to the conversation, focusing on the developer's approach toward generative artificial intelligence.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a latest clarification, Swen Vincke explained that the developer is employing generative AI for specific preliminary purposes. These encompass enhancing presentation materials, producing initial visual ideas, and drafting draft copy.

Notably, Vincke stressed that the final material in the game will be authored solely by actual artists. "Larian is creating everything ourselves," he affirmed.

Our studio is constantly growing our team of storytellers and are actively putting together dedicated writer rooms.

Since this area is being specifically called out — we right now have over twenty artistic staff and have roles to fill for more talent.

Everything we do is additive and focused on letting our team spend more time on actual creation.

Every ML tool implemented properly is a boost to a artist's workflow, never a stand-in for their craft.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The admission of using AI originally sparked unease among some the player base. In reply, Vincke provided additional elaboration on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to explore references, just like we use the internet and reference books," he stated. "In the very early ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then substitute with original illustrations."

He continued, "Our studio recruits talent for their unique talent, not for their willingness to follow what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had earlier broken down the studio's practical strategy to machine learning, grouping its use into key areas:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to quickly build simple versions of mechanics to validate concepts ahead of complete production.
• Experimental Frontiers: Researching how AI could eventually enhance emergent reactivity, specifically in simulating player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly noted that core creative areas — such as visual art — are are absolutely not departments where the team is cutting creative input. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these precise fields.

"Our studio is not launching a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not planning on reducing staff to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.