The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Details Its Use of AI Tools for New Divinity

The developer behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently shown its new project, generating significant anticipation within the gaming community. However, follow-up comments from the studio's co-founder have added nuance to the narrative, addressing the developer's philosophy toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent message, the studio's founder explained that the developer is utilizing AI technology for certain supporting functions. These encompass enhancing presentation materials, producing rough concept art, and creating draft copy.

Notably, Vincke stressed that the shipping assets in the game will be crafted exclusively by human creatives. "Larian is writing everything manually," he said.

Larian is continuously growing our roster of writers and are actively assembling narrative groups.

Since concept art is being explicitly mentioned — we currently have 23 concept artists and have job openings for more artists.

Each initiative we do is supplementary and aimed at having people spend more time on making content.

Any AI system implemented properly is additive to a artist's process, never a stand-in for their talent.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The admission of AI usage originally provoked concern among portions of the community. In reply, Vincke issued additional detail on social media.

"At Larian, we employ these tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use Google and art books," he explained. "In the conceptual ideation stages we use it as a simple sketch for layout which we then swap out with hand-crafted artwork."

He noted, "We've hired artists for their creative vision, not for their willingness to replicate what a algorithm proposes."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had previously broken down the studio's practical approach to this technology, grouping its use into primary pillars:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This includes motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create rough versions of mechanics to validate concepts ahead of expensive development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how machine learning could eventually facilitate innovative gameplay, particularly in managing player-driven narratives in a complex RPG.

He clearly stated that key artistic areas — like writing — are are absolutely not areas where the company is cutting artistic talent. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these very roles.

"Our studio is neither launching a game with any AI components, nor considering cutting creatives to replace them with AI," Vincke concluded.