The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Details Its Application of AI Tools for Next Divinity Game
The team behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently shown its new project, sparking significant anticipation within the player base. However, subsequent remarks from the company's co-founder have introduced nuance to the discussion, touching on the studio's philosophy toward AI tools.
A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement
In a latest message, Swen Vincke detailed that the team is using AI technology for specific ancillary functions. These include fleshing out pitch decks, creating early-stage artistic references, and creating temporary dialogue.
Notably, Vincke emphasized that the end assets in the game will be authored entirely by actual artists. "We are developing everything in-house," he said.
Larian is continuously increasing our roster of concept artists and are busily assembling writing teams.
Given that visual development is being particularly mentioned — we currently have over twenty concept artists and have positions available for more talent.
Everything we do is supplementary and focused on having people spend greater focus on the creative process.
Any ML tool applied correctly is supplementary to a creative team workflow, not a replacement for their craft.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The admission of AI usage originally provoked concern among a segment of the fanbase. In response, Vincke offered further detail on public forums.
"At Larian, we employ AI tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use the internet and reference books," he explained. "In the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then replace with authentic artwork."
He noted, "We've hired artists for their creative vision, not for their ability to execute what a AI generates."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had previously detailed the company's focused method to AI and ML, defining its use into three main pillars:
- Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
- Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to speedily create rough mock-ups of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts prior to expensive implementation.
- Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how machine learning could one day create innovative gameplay, particularly in simulating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.
He clearly affirmed that core creative disciplines — such as music composition — are are absolutely not departments where the studio is cutting artistic talent. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these very roles.
"Larian is neither shipping a game with AI-generated content, nor planning on reducing creatives to swap them out with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.
