The Divinity Developer Details Its Application of AI Tools for Upcoming Divinity

The studio behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its upcoming project, sparking a wave of hype within the gaming community. However, follow-up statements from the company's lead designer have introduced nuance to the conversation, focusing on the developer's approach toward generative artificial intelligence.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a new message, the studio's founder outlined that the team is employing machine learning for certain preliminary tasks. These involve enhancing pitch decks, producing rough artistic references, and writing temporary text.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the final material in the game will be authored solely by actual creatives. "Our team is developing all the content ourselves," he said.

Our studio is constantly growing our roster of storytellers and are actively forming dedicated writer rooms.

Given that visual development is being explicitly mentioned — we presently have twenty-three artistic staff and have positions available for more creatives.

All our efforts we do is supplementary and focused on enabling creatives to spend greater focus on making content.

Any ML tool implemented properly is a boost to a artist's routine, not a substitute for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The admission of using AI originally generated unease among a segment of the player base. In reply, Vincke offered additional elaboration on online platforms.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to explore references, just like we use search engines and reference books," he wrote. "In the initial ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then swap out with original artwork."

He noted, "Larian brings on artists for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to execute what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had earlier detailed the team's practical approach to AI and ML, defining its use into three main areas:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This encompasses polishing mocap data, voice editing, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to rapidly prototype simple mock-ups of scenarios to test concepts before complete production.
• Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how machine learning could one day create emergent gameplay, particularly in creating player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly stated that key artistic domains — including writing — are not areas where the studio is reducing human input. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these very positions.

"We are neither launching a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not looking at reducing teams to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.