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

The studio behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its upcoming project, sparking immense hype within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the company's co-founder have introduced clarity to the conversation, focusing on the team's approach toward AI tools.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a recent clarification, the studio's founder detailed that the developer is employing AI technology for specific ancillary functions. These encompass fleshing out pitch decks, producing initial artistic references, and creating draft dialogue.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the shipping content in the game will be authored entirely by human creatives. "Larian is developing everything ourselves," he affirmed.

Our studio is actively growing our roster of writers and are busily assembling writing teams.

Given that this area is being explicitly referenced — we presently have over twenty concept artists and have job openings for more artists.

All our efforts we do is incremental and focused on letting our team spend additional energy on actual creation.

Every AI system used well is supplementary to a creative team workflow, never a stand-in for their talent.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The news of AI usage originally provoked concern among some the community. In reply, Vincke provided more detail on online platforms.

"We use machine learning to research ideas, similar to we use the internet and art books," he explained. "In the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then substitute with hand-crafted artwork."

He continued, "Larian brings on creatives for their inherent skill, not for their ability to follow what a machine suggests."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had in the past detailed the company's practical method to machine learning, grouping its use into three main areas:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using technology to rapidly prototype simple versions of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts prior to expensive implementation.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how AI could eventually create innovative player agency, especially in creating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.

He specifically noted that key artistic domains — like music composition — are are in no way fields where the studio is replacing human input. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these exact fields.

"Larian is not launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not looking at trimming down teams to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.