Larian Studios Clarifies Its Application of AI Tools for Next Divinity Game

The team behind acclaimed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its next major project, sparking significant hype within the industry. However, subsequent comments from the studio's figurehead have added a new dimension to the discussion, addressing the team's stance toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new statement, Larian's director detailed that the developer is utilizing AI technology for particular preliminary purposes. These include developing PowerPoint slides, creating rough artistic references, and drafting draft dialogue.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the final assets in the game will be created solely by actual creatives. "We are writing every line in-house," he stated.

Our studio is actively expanding our pool of concept artists and are actively putting together dedicated writer rooms.

Since visual development is being explicitly called out — we presently have over twenty visual developers and have job openings for additional artists.

Each initiative we do is incremental and focused on letting our team spend additional energy on actual creation.

Every AI system applied correctly is supplementary to a developer's workflow, not a substitute for their talent.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The admission of employing this technology at first sparked unease among a segment of the fanbase. In response, Vincke issued further elaboration on social media.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use search engines and reference books," he wrote. "During the conceptual planning process we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then substitute with authentic concept art."

He continued, "Our studio recruits creatives for their inherent skill, not for their willingness to follow what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had earlier outlined the team's focused strategy to AI and ML, categorizing its use into primary functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This includes motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to rapidly prototype basic models of scenarios to test concepts prior to expensive development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how machine learning could one day enhance innovative gameplay, specifically in managing player-driven narratives in a complex RPG.

He clearly stated that key artistic areas — such as music composition — are are absolutely not areas where the studio is replacing human talent. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these very fields.

"We are neither releasing a game with machine-made assets, nor planning on cutting staff to swap them out with AI," Vincke stated definitively.