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

The developer behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its next major project, generating a wave of excitement within the gaming community. However, follow-up comments from the company's co-founder have brought a new dimension to the conversation, focusing on the developer's approach toward generative artificial intelligence.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a recent statement, the studio's founder explained that the company is employing AI technology for certain preliminary tasks. These encompass fleshing out pitch decks, generating initial concept art, and writing placeholder text.

Notably, Vincke made clear that the end material in the game will be authored exclusively by human artists. "Our team is writing every line ourselves," he stated.

Larian is constantly increasing our pool of concept artists and are currently putting together writing teams.

Given that visual development is being particularly referenced — we right now have 23 visual developers and have job openings for further artists.

Everything we do is incremental and aimed at having people spend more time on actual creation.

Every machine learning application implemented properly is supplementary to a artist's process, not a substitute for their skill.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of using AI at first sparked unease among portions of the player base. In reaction, Vincke provided additional clarification on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ these tools to explore references, just like we use search engines and reference books," he wrote. "In the initial planning process we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then swap out with authentic concept art."

He added, "Larian brings on creatives for their inherent skill, not for their ability to replicate what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past broken down the company's targeted method to machine learning, defining its use into three main pillars:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses refining animations, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to quickly build rough mock-ups of gameplay ideas to validate concepts before full implementation.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Investigating how AI could eventually create emergent gameplay, particularly in managing dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly affirmed that key artistic areas — such as writing — are not areas where the studio is reducing creative talent. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these very roles.

"Our studio is neither shipping a game with any AI components, nor looking at reducing creatives to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.