Larian Studios Clarifies Its Application of Machine Learning for New Project

The team behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its upcoming project, sparking significant anticipation within the player base. However, subsequent comments from the company's lead designer have added nuance to the discussion, touching on the developer's philosophy toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new statement, the studio's founder explained that the team is utilizing generative AI for particular supporting tasks. These encompass enhancing presentation materials, creating initial concept art, and drafting placeholder dialogue.

Crucially, Vincke emphasized that the end assets in the game will be crafted exclusively by actual creatives. "We are developing every line in-house," he affirmed.

We are continuously growing our team of storytellers and are currently assembling writing teams.

Given that concept art is being explicitly referenced — we currently have 23 concept artists and have roles to fill for further talent.

Each initiative we do is supplementary and designed to enabling creatives to spend more time on making content.

Any AI system used well is a boost to a creative team process, not a substitute for their skill.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The revelation of employing this technology originally provoked backlash among portions of the fanbase. In reply, Vincke issued more elaboration on public forums.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to research ideas, in the same way we use the internet and art books," he stated. "In the very early ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for layout which we then substitute with original illustrations."

He added, "We've hired creatives for their unique talent, not for their ability to execute what a machine suggests."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had in the past broken down the company's targeted approach to machine learning, categorizing its use into three main functions:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to quickly build rough models of mechanics to experiment with concepts prior to full production.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Exploring how AI could in the future enhance innovative gameplay, particularly in managing player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He clearly stated that core creative areas — like writing — are are in no way fields where the team is reducing creative involvement. In fact, Larian is expanding its staff in these precise positions.

"Our studio is not shipping a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not looking at trimming down creatives to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.