🔗 Share this article The Divinity Developer Details Its Use of Machine Learning for New Divinity The studio behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its new project, generating immense hype within the gaming community. However, subsequent remarks from the studio's lead designer have added nuance to the discussion, focusing on the studio's approach toward AI tools. AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute In a latest message, Swen Vincke explained that the developer is using AI technology for particular ancillary functions. These encompass enhancing pitch decks, producing rough visual ideas, and drafting placeholder dialogue. Notably, Vincke made clear that the final material in the game will be authored exclusively by human artists. "Larian is writing every line ourselves," he affirmed. Our studio is actively growing our team of storytellers and are currently forming dedicated writer rooms. Since visual development is being explicitly mentioned — we currently have 23 concept artists and have job openings for more creatives. All our efforts we do is incremental and focused on enabling creatives to spend additional energy on actual creation. Any AI system applied correctly is a boost to a developer's process, not a replacement for their talent. Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path The admission of employing this technology at first generated unease among portions of the community. In response, Vincke offered more detail on social media. "We use AI tools to explore references, just like we use the internet and physical media," he explained. "During the initial planning process we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then swap out with original illustrations." He added, "Larian brings on talent for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to replicate what a machine suggests." Focused Uses for Machine Learning Vincke had previously broken down the company's focused approach to this technology, defining its use into key areas: Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses refining animations, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations. Accelerated Iteration: Using systems to rapidly prototype basic versions of scenarios to test concepts ahead of full implementation. Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could one day create emergent gameplay, especially in creating unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe. He explicitly noted that core creative domains — like music composition — are are in no way fields where the team is cutting artistic involvement. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these precise positions. "Larian is not launching a game with machine-made assets, nor looking at reducing staff to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.
The studio behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its new project, generating immense hype within the gaming community. However, subsequent remarks from the studio's lead designer have added nuance to the discussion, focusing on the studio's approach toward AI tools. AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute In a latest message, Swen Vincke explained that the developer is using AI technology for particular ancillary functions. These encompass enhancing pitch decks, producing rough visual ideas, and drafting placeholder dialogue. Notably, Vincke made clear that the final material in the game will be authored exclusively by human artists. "Larian is writing every line ourselves," he affirmed. Our studio is actively growing our team of storytellers and are currently forming dedicated writer rooms. Since visual development is being explicitly mentioned — we currently have 23 concept artists and have job openings for more creatives. All our efforts we do is incremental and focused on enabling creatives to spend additional energy on actual creation. Any AI system applied correctly is a boost to a developer's process, not a replacement for their talent. Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path The admission of employing this technology at first generated unease among portions of the community. In response, Vincke offered more detail on social media. "We use AI tools to explore references, just like we use the internet and physical media," he explained. "During the initial planning process we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then swap out with original illustrations." He added, "Larian brings on talent for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to replicate what a machine suggests." Focused Uses for Machine Learning Vincke had previously broken down the company's focused approach to this technology, defining its use into key areas: Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses refining animations, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations. Accelerated Iteration: Using systems to rapidly prototype basic versions of scenarios to test concepts ahead of full implementation. Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could one day create emergent gameplay, especially in creating unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe. He explicitly noted that core creative domains — like music composition — are are in no way fields where the team is cutting artistic involvement. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these precise positions. "Larian is not launching a game with machine-made assets, nor looking at reducing staff to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.