The Divinity Developer Explains Its Use of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity Game
The team behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its new project, generating a wave of anticipation within the industry. However, follow-up remarks from the company's co-founder have brought clarity to the narrative, addressing the studio's stance toward AI tools.
A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement
In a new statement, the studio's founder detailed that the company is employing generative AI for certain supporting purposes. These include enhancing PowerPoint slides, producing initial concept art, and drafting placeholder text.
Importantly, Vincke made clear that the end material in the game will be crafted exclusively by real artists. "Larian is creating every line manually," he stated.
Our studio is continuously increasing our team of storytellers and are currently forming narrative groups.
Since concept art is being particularly called out — we presently have over twenty visual developers and have roles to fill for further creatives.
Each initiative we do is supplementary and designed to enabling creatives to spend greater focus on actual creation.
Any machine learning application implemented properly is additive to a developer's process, not a replacement for their craft.
Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path
The news of using AI originally generated concern among a segment of the player base. In reaction, Vincke offered more detail on public forums.
"We use AI tools to research ideas, in the same way we use search engines and reference books," he wrote. "During the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then swap out with original artwork."
He added, "We've hired artists for their unique talent, not for their capacity to follow what a machine suggests."
Three Pillars of Practical Application
Vincke had earlier detailed the company's focused approach to AI and ML, categorizing its use into primary functions:
- Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
- Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create basic models of scenarios to validate concepts ahead of expensive implementation.
- Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how AI could eventually facilitate new forms of gameplay, specifically in simulating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.
He specifically noted that key artistic areas — like writing — are are absolutely not areas where the team is replacing human involvement. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these exact positions.
"We are not launching a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not looking at reducing creatives to swap them out with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.
