Larian Studios Details Its Use of Machine Learning for Next Divinity

The team behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its new project, sparking a wave of hype within the gaming community. However, follow-up comments from the studio's figurehead have introduced a new dimension to the narrative, focusing on the studio's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new message, the studio's founder detailed that the company is employing generative AI for particular supporting tasks. These include enhancing PowerPoint slides, producing rough artistic references, and drafting temporary copy.

Importantly, Vincke emphasized that the final assets in the game will be authored exclusively by real artists. "Larian is developing everything ourselves," he said.

We are constantly expanding our pool of concept artists and are currently assembling narrative groups.

As this area is being specifically called out — we currently have 23 concept artists and have job openings for further artists.

All our efforts we do is additive and aimed at having people spend greater focus on actual creation.

Every ML tool used well is a boost to a artist's process, never a stand-in for their craft.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The news of AI usage at first provoked backlash among portions of the player base. In response, Vincke provided further detail on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to research ideas, in the same way we use search engines and reference books," he stated. "In the conceptual planning process we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then swap out with hand-crafted illustrations."

He noted, "Our studio recruits creatives for their creative vision, not for their ability to follow what a algorithm proposes."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's targeted method to AI and ML, categorizing its use into three main areas:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses polishing mocap data, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to rapidly prototype rough models of scenarios to experiment with concepts before complete production.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how machine learning could in the future create innovative gameplay, particularly in creating dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.

He explicitly noted that central narrative domains — like writing — are are in no way departments where the studio is reducing human input. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these very roles.

"We are not releasing a game with machine-made assets, nor looking at reducing staff to swap them out with AI," Vincke summarized.