The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Explains Its Use of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity
The studio behind acclaimed role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its next major project, generating a wave of excitement within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's lead designer have brought clarity to the narrative, addressing the studio's stance toward generative artificial intelligence.
AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute
In a recent message, Swen Vincke explained that the company is using generative AI for specific ancillary functions. These involve developing pitch decks, producing initial concept art, and drafting draft dialogue.
Notably, Vincke emphasized that the end content in the game will be created entirely by actual artists. "Our team is creating everything manually," he said.
Our studio is continuously increasing our roster of writers and are busily assembling writing teams.
Since concept art is being specifically mentioned — we right now have over twenty visual developers and have job openings for further artists.
Everything we do is incremental and focused on having people spend additional energy on actual creation.
Any ML tool applied correctly is supplementary to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their skill.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The news of AI usage originally sparked concern among some the player base. In reaction, Vincke provided further clarification on public forums.
"At Larian, we employ these tools to explore references, just like we use search engines and physical media," he wrote. "In the initial ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for composition which we then substitute with hand-crafted illustrations."
He added, "We've hired artists for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to replicate what a machine suggests."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had in the past outlined the team's focused strategy to machine learning, grouping its use into three main areas:
- Streamlining Repetitive Work: This encompasses refining animations, audio processing, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to rapidly prototype basic mock-ups of scenarios to experiment with concepts ahead of complete implementation.
- Long-Term Aspirations: Investigating how machine learning could eventually create new forms of player agency, particularly in simulating unforeseen permutations in a vast role-playing world.
He explicitly affirmed that core creative areas — like visual art — are not departments where the team is replacing human involvement. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these very positions.
"We are neither releasing a game with AI-generated content, nor considering trimming down teams to swap them out with AI," Vincke stated definitively.
