The Divinity Developer Details Its Use of Generative AI for Upcoming Project
The team behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its next major project, creating significant excitement within the industry. However, subsequent remarks from the company's lead designer have brought clarity to the narrative, focusing on the team's stance toward machine learning.
Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs
In a latest clarification, the studio's founder detailed that the company is utilizing generative AI for particular preliminary purposes. These involve fleshing out pitch decks, producing early-stage visual ideas, and writing draft text.
Notably, Vincke made clear that the shipping material in the game will be created solely by actual creatives. "Larian is developing every line manually," he stated.
Larian is constantly growing our team of concept artists and are actively assembling writing teams.
Since visual development is being particularly mentioned — we right now have 23 concept artists and have job openings for more talent.
All our efforts we do is incremental and designed to having people spend more time on the creative process.
Every AI system used well is supplementary to a developer's routine, not a replacement for their skill.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The revelation of using AI at first sparked backlash among portions of the fanbase. In response, Vincke offered more detail on online platforms.
"Our team utilizes these tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use Google and art books," he explained. "In the conceptual planning process we use it as a rough outline for layout which we then swap out with hand-crafted artwork."
He noted, "Larian brings on artists 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 team's focused strategy to this technology, defining its use into key functions:
- Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses refining animations, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to speedily create simple models of mechanics to validate concepts ahead of full implementation.
- Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how machine learning could one day create innovative reactivity, particularly in creating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.
He clearly noted that central narrative domains — such as visual art — are are absolutely not areas where the company is cutting artistic input. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these exact fields.
"Our studio is neither releasing a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not looking at trimming down staff to swap them out with AI," Vincke stated definitively.