Larian Studios Clarifies Its Use of AI Tools for Next Divinity

The developer behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its new project, creating immense excitement within the gaming community. However, recent comments from the studio's co-founder have added nuance to the narrative, addressing the studio's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent clarification, Swen Vincke detailed that the team is using AI technology for certain preliminary tasks. These involve developing presentation materials, producing early-stage artistic references, and drafting placeholder copy.

Importantly, Vincke emphasized that the final content in the game will be authored entirely by human writers. "We are creating all the content in-house," he affirmed.

Our studio is constantly growing our team of concept artists and are actively forming writing teams.

As concept art is being specifically referenced — we presently have 23 artistic staff and have job openings for further artists.

Everything we do is supplementary and aimed at having people spend greater focus on making content.

Any AI system implemented properly is additive to a developer's process, not a substitute for their craft.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The admission of employing this technology originally sparked concern among portions of the fanbase. In response, Vincke issued additional elaboration on social media.

"We use these tools to research ideas, similar to we use search engines and reference books," he stated. "In the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then swap out with authentic concept art."

He continued, "We've hired creatives for their creative vision, not for their ability to execute what a machine suggests."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past outlined the team's targeted strategy to AI and ML, defining its use into primary areas:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to rapidly prototype rough versions of scenarios to validate concepts prior to complete development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Researching how AI could in the future enhance innovative player agency, particularly in managing dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.

He specifically affirmed that central narrative domains — including visual art — are are absolutely not fields where the company is replacing artistic talent. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these precise positions.

"We are neither shipping a game with any AI components, nor planning on reducing teams to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.