The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Clarifies Its Use of Machine Learning for Upcoming Divinity
The studio behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its next major project, sparking immense anticipation within the industry. However, subsequent remarks from the company's co-founder have brought nuance to the narrative, focusing on the team's philosophy toward AI tools.
AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute
In a new message, Larian's director detailed that the company is utilizing generative AI for particular supporting functions. These include fleshing out pitch decks, producing rough artistic references, and drafting placeholder dialogue.
Crucially, Vincke stressed that the shipping assets in the game will be crafted entirely by actual creatives. "We are developing all the content manually," he affirmed.
We are constantly expanding our roster of writers and are currently putting together dedicated writer rooms.
Given that visual development is being particularly referenced — we presently have 23 artistic staff and have positions available for more talent.
Each initiative we do is incremental and aimed at letting our team spend additional energy on the creative process.
Every machine learning application applied correctly is supplementary to a developer's routine, not a substitute for their craft.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The admission of using AI originally generated concern among portions of the community. In reply, Vincke provided more clarification on social media.
"At Larian, we employ AI tools to research ideas, just like we use the internet and physical media," he stated. "In the initial planning process we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then replace with original illustrations."
He added, "Larian brings on artists for their inherent skill, not for their ability to execute what a machine suggests."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had in the past detailed the team's focused strategy to this technology, categorizing its use into key functions:
- Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models.
- Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to quickly build rough versions of scenarios to test concepts prior to full development.
- Future Potential for Gameplay: Exploring how AI could in the future facilitate new forms of gameplay, specifically in simulating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.
He clearly affirmed that key artistic disciplines — like visual art — are are in no way departments where the company is cutting creative involvement. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these very positions.
"Our studio is not shipping a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not planning on cutting teams to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.