The Divinity Developer Clarifies Its Use of Generative AI for Next Project

The team behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its next major project, sparking a wave of anticipation within the industry. However, subsequent comments from the studio's co-founder have added a new dimension to the narrative, focusing on the studio's approach toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest message, Swen Vincke outlined that the team is using machine learning for certain ancillary tasks. These encompass enhancing presentation materials, creating rough visual ideas, and drafting temporary copy.

Importantly, Vincke stressed that the end material in the game will be created solely by human artists. "We are creating all the content manually," he stated.

Our studio is actively growing our roster of storytellers and are actively forming narrative groups.

Given that concept art is being specifically mentioned — we presently have 23 concept artists and have roles to fill for further artists.

Everything we do is supplementary and designed to letting our team spend greater focus on the creative process.

Any AI system used well is supplementary to a artist's workflow, never a stand-in for their craft.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The revelation of employing this technology originally provoked concern among a segment of the player base. In reaction, Vincke offered additional clarification on online platforms.

"We use AI tools to research ideas, in the same way we use the internet and reference books," he stated. "During the very early planning process we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then substitute with original artwork."

He added, "Larian brings on talent for their unique talent, not for their ability to execute what a algorithm proposes."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had earlier broken down the company's targeted method to AI and ML, categorizing its use into key pillars:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like polishing mocap data, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using tools to quickly build simple mock-ups of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts before full development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how AI could eventually enhance new forms of gameplay, specifically in managing dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.

He explicitly stated that key artistic domains — such as music composition — are are absolutely not fields where the team is reducing creative talent. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these very roles.

"Larian is not launching a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not planning on cutting staff to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.