Larian Studios Clarifies Its Use of Generative AI for Upcoming Project

The developer behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its next major project, sparking immense excitement within the gaming community. However, subsequent remarks from the company's lead designer have brought a new dimension to the conversation, addressing the team's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a latest statement, the studio's founder outlined that the team is employing AI technology for specific supporting purposes. These include enhancing PowerPoint slides, producing initial artistic references, and drafting draft text.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the shipping content in the game will be created solely by human creatives. "Our team is developing every line manually," he affirmed.

We are constantly growing our pool of concept artists and are currently forming writing teams.

Since this area is being specifically referenced — we right now have 23 artistic staff and have positions available for additional creatives.

Everything we do is supplementary and focused on letting our team spend more time on the creative process.

Any ML tool applied correctly is supplementary to a artist's routine, not a substitute for their skill.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of employing this technology originally generated backlash among portions of the player base. In response, Vincke offered further detail on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to explore references, just like we use search engines and physical media," he stated. "In the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for layout which we then swap out with authentic concept art."

He continued, "Our studio recruits artists for their inherent skill, not for their ability to replicate what a AI generates."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past broken down the team's practical approach to machine learning, defining its use into three main pillars:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to rapidly prototype rough versions of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts prior to full implementation.
• Experimental Frontiers: Researching how machine learning could one day facilitate emergent gameplay, particularly in managing dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.

He specifically stated that core creative disciplines — including music composition — are not departments where the studio is reducing artistic input. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these precise positions.

"Larian is neither releasing a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not looking at trimming down staff to substitute them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.