The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Details Its Implementation of Generative AI for New Divinity
The team behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its next major project, generating immense excitement within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the company's co-founder have brought clarity to the discussion, touching on the studio's approach toward AI tools.
Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs
In a new clarification, Swen Vincke explained that the company is utilizing generative AI for particular ancillary tasks. These involve fleshing out PowerPoint slides, producing initial concept art, and writing placeholder copy.
Notably, Vincke stressed that the final content in the game will be authored exclusively by human writers. "Larian is writing everything manually," he said.
Our studio is constantly growing our pool of concept artists and are currently assembling writing teams.
As visual development is being particularly called out — we currently have 23 artistic staff and have job openings for additional artists.
Each initiative we do is incremental and focused on having people spend greater focus on making content.
Any AI system implemented properly is a boost to a developer's workflow, not a replacement for their skill.
Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path
The admission of employing this technology at first provoked concern among a segment of the fanbase. In reply, Vincke issued more clarification on public forums.
"We use machine learning to research ideas, just like we use the internet and physical media," he explained. "In the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then swap out with original artwork."
He noted, "Larian brings on talent for their unique talent, not for their capacity to execute what a machine suggests."
Focused Uses for Machine Learning
Vincke had previously outlined the studio's focused strategy to this technology, grouping its use into key pillars:
- Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like polishing mocap data, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
- Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to speedily create basic models of scenarios to test concepts before full implementation.
- Long-Term Aspirations: Investigating how AI could in the future create innovative gameplay, particularly in managing dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.
He explicitly affirmed that key artistic domains — such as writing — are not areas where the studio is replacing human input. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these very positions.
"Larian is not launching a game with machine-made assets, nor considering trimming down teams to swap them out with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.
