🔗 Share this article The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Clarifies Its Use of Machine Learning for Next Divinity Game The developer behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its next major project, generating significant hype within the industry. However, follow-up comments from the company's figurehead have added nuance to the conversation, focusing on the studio's stance toward machine learning. AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute In a new statement, Swen Vincke outlined that the team is utilizing machine learning for specific supporting purposes. These involve fleshing out PowerPoint slides, creating rough artistic references, and drafting placeholder copy. Crucially, Vincke made clear that the end content in the game will be authored solely by actual creatives. "Larian is creating all the content in-house," he said. We are constantly expanding our team of storytellers and are currently forming writing teams. Since concept art is being particularly mentioned — we presently have 23 artistic staff and have job openings for additional talent. Everything we do is supplementary and focused on having people spend greater focus on actual creation. Every machine learning application implemented properly is supplementary to a artist's process, not a replacement for their talent. Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent The news of using AI at first sparked backlash among a segment of the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke provided additional clarification on social media. "Our team utilizes these tools to gather inspiration, in the same way we use the internet and physical media," he explained. "During the very early planning process we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then substitute with authentic illustrations." He added, "Our studio recruits creatives for their creative vision, not for their capacity to follow what a algorithm proposes." Three Pillars of Practical Application Vincke had previously broken down the team's focused strategy to this technology, categorizing its use into three main functions: Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species. Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to quickly build basic models of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts prior to expensive production. Long-Term Aspirations: Investigating how machine learning could in the future enhance new forms of gameplay, especially in creating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG. He clearly stated that core creative domains — such as visual art — are not fields where the studio is reducing artistic talent. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these exact fields. "We are neither launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on trimming down creatives to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.
The developer behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its next major project, generating significant hype within the industry. However, follow-up comments from the company's figurehead have added nuance to the conversation, focusing on the studio's stance toward machine learning. AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute In a new statement, Swen Vincke outlined that the team is utilizing machine learning for specific supporting purposes. These involve fleshing out PowerPoint slides, creating rough artistic references, and drafting placeholder copy. Crucially, Vincke made clear that the end content in the game will be authored solely by actual creatives. "Larian is creating all the content in-house," he said. We are constantly expanding our team of storytellers and are currently forming writing teams. Since concept art is being particularly mentioned — we presently have 23 artistic staff and have job openings for additional talent. Everything we do is supplementary and focused on having people spend greater focus on actual creation. Every machine learning application implemented properly is supplementary to a artist's process, not a replacement for their talent. Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent The news of using AI at first sparked backlash among a segment of the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke provided additional clarification on social media. "Our team utilizes these tools to gather inspiration, in the same way we use the internet and physical media," he explained. "During the very early planning process we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then substitute with authentic illustrations." He added, "Our studio recruits creatives for their creative vision, not for their capacity to follow what a algorithm proposes." Three Pillars of Practical Application Vincke had previously broken down the team's focused strategy to this technology, categorizing its use into three main functions: Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species. Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to quickly build basic models of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts prior to expensive production. Long-Term Aspirations: Investigating how machine learning could in the future enhance new forms of gameplay, especially in creating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG. He clearly stated that core creative domains — such as visual art — are not fields where the studio is reducing artistic talent. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these exact fields. "We are neither launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on trimming down creatives to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.