Larian Studios Explains Its Application of Machine Learning for Upcoming Divinity Game

The team behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its next major project, generating immense anticipation within the player base. However, recent statements from the company's lead designer have brought clarity to the narrative, addressing the developer's philosophy toward machine learning.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a latest clarification, Larian's director detailed that the company is employing generative AI for certain supporting functions. These involve enhancing pitch decks, creating rough visual ideas, and creating placeholder dialogue.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the final material in the game will be created entirely by real artists. "Larian is writing every line manually," he said.

We are actively growing our team of writers and are busily assembling writing teams.

Since concept art is being specifically mentioned — we right now have twenty-three artistic staff and have roles to fill for additional talent.

All our efforts we do is supplementary and focused on letting our team spend additional energy on making content.

Any AI system implemented properly is supplementary to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their craft.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The news of AI usage at first provoked unease among some the player base. In reply, Vincke issued further elaboration on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to gather inspiration, in the same way we use search engines and reference books," he stated. "In the conceptual ideation stages we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then substitute with original concept art."

He continued, "Our studio recruits talent for their creative vision, not for their ability to replicate what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had earlier outlined the studio's focused approach to AI and ML, categorizing its use into key areas:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using tools to rapidly prototype rough versions of gameplay ideas to validate concepts ahead of expensive development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how AI could one day facilitate emergent reactivity, especially in managing dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly noted that key artistic disciplines — such as visual art — are are absolutely not fields where the team is replacing human input. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these precise positions.

"Larian is neither shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor planning on reducing teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.