The Divinity Developer Explains Its Use of AI Tools for Upcoming Project

The team behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its next major project, generating a wave of hype within the industry. However, follow-up comments from the company's co-founder have introduced clarity to the discussion, focusing on the team's approach toward machine learning.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a latest message, the studio's founder explained that the company is using machine learning for certain ancillary purposes. These encompass fleshing out pitch decks, generating early-stage artistic references, and writing draft copy.

Importantly, Vincke stressed that the shipping assets in the game will be created solely by actual writers. "We are creating everything in-house," he said.

Our studio is constantly increasing our pool of writers and are actively putting together writing teams.

Since concept art is being particularly called out — we right now have over twenty artistic staff and have roles to fill for additional creatives.

All our efforts we do is additive and designed to having people spend additional energy on actual creation.

Any ML tool applied correctly is additive to a developer's workflow, not a replacement for their craft.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The revelation of AI usage originally generated concern among portions of the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke provided further detail on public forums.

"Our team utilizes machine learning to research ideas, similar to we use Google and art books," he stated. "In the very early ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then replace with authentic artwork."

He added, "Larian brings on talent for their unique talent, not for their capacity to replicate what a algorithm proposes."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past outlined the team's targeted approach to this technology, defining its use into three main areas:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to rapidly prototype basic models of scenarios to test concepts before full development.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how machine learning could eventually facilitate innovative player agency, particularly in simulating dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.

He explicitly noted that core creative domains — including writing — are are absolutely not departments where the company is cutting human involvement. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these very positions.

"Larian is not shipping a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not looking at trimming down teams to swap them out with AI," Vincke concluded.