The Divinity Developer Details Its Application of AI Tools for Next Divinity Game

The developer behind acclaimed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its upcoming project, sparking significant excitement within the player base. However, follow-up remarks from the company's lead designer have added nuance to the discussion, addressing the team's stance toward generative artificial intelligence.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a new message, Larian's director detailed that the team is employing machine learning for certain preliminary purposes. These include fleshing out pitch decks, generating rough artistic references, and drafting temporary copy.

Notably, Vincke stressed that the end assets in the game will be created exclusively by real writers. "We are writing every line in-house," he stated.

We are continuously growing our roster of writers and are busily forming narrative groups.

Since concept art is being specifically called out — we currently have 23 concept artists and have roles to fill for more creatives.

All our efforts we do is supplementary and aimed at letting our team spend more time on making content.

Any AI system implemented properly is additive to a creative team routine, never a stand-in for their talent.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The revelation of using AI originally generated backlash among a segment of the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke issued more elaboration on social media.

"Our team utilizes machine learning to research ideas, just like we use the internet and art books," he stated. "During the initial ideation stages we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then substitute with original concept art."

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

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past broken down the company's practical method to this technology, defining its use into three main functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to quickly build rough models of mechanics to test concepts before full production.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could in the future facilitate emergent reactivity, especially in managing dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly stated that central narrative disciplines — like music composition — are are in no way areas where the studio is replacing creative input. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these precise positions.

"Our studio is neither releasing a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not looking at trimming down creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.