The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Clarifies Its Implementation of Generative AI for Next Divinity Game

The developer behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its new project, sparking significant anticipation within the player base. However, follow-up comments from the studio's co-founder have brought clarity to the discussion, touching on the team's approach toward AI tools.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a new statement, Larian's director detailed that the company is utilizing machine learning for certain ancillary functions. These involve enhancing presentation materials, generating rough concept art, and creating placeholder text.

Importantly, Vincke stressed that the final assets in the game will be authored exclusively by actual artists. "Our team is creating every line in-house," he said.

We are actively expanding our team of concept artists and are busily putting together writing teams.

As concept art is being particularly referenced — we presently have over twenty concept artists and have roles to fill for further creatives.

Everything we do is incremental and focused on letting our team spend greater focus on making content.

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

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The admission of using AI at first provoked concern among portions of the community. In response, Vincke issued additional detail on online platforms.

"We use AI tools to research ideas, in the same way we use the internet and reference books," he stated. "During the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then replace with original concept art."

He continued, "We've hired talent for their unique talent, not for their willingness to execute what a machine suggests."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past broken down the team's targeted approach to this technology, grouping its use into primary functions:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to quickly build rough mock-ups of gameplay ideas to validate concepts before full implementation.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Investigating how AI could in the future create innovative reactivity, especially in creating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He explicitly noted that key artistic disciplines — like music composition — are are in no way areas where the studio is cutting creative talent. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these precise fields.

"Our studio is not shipping a game with any AI components, nor looking at reducing creatives to replace them with AI," Vincke summarized.