The Divinity Developer Details Its Implementation of AI Tools for Upcoming Divinity Game
The studio behind popular titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its new project, sparking a wave of excitement within the gaming community. However, subsequent remarks from the company's co-founder have added clarity to the narrative, focusing on the developer's philosophy toward machine learning.
A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement
In a recent message, Larian's director outlined that the company is using AI technology for particular preliminary tasks. These involve developing presentation materials, producing early-stage concept art, and drafting temporary dialogue.
Crucially, Vincke stressed that the end material in the game will be crafted solely by actual writers. "Larian is writing all the content ourselves," he stated.
Larian is continuously expanding our team of writers and are actively forming narrative groups.
Since visual development is being explicitly mentioned — we presently have 23 concept artists and have roles to fill for further artists.
Each initiative we do is supplementary and designed to letting our team spend more time on making content.
Every AI system implemented properly is additive to a creative team routine, never a stand-in for their skill.
Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path
The news of AI usage at first generated backlash among some the fanbase. In response, Vincke provided more elaboration on social media.
"Our team utilizes machine learning to research ideas, in the same way we use search engines and physical media," he stated. "In the conceptual ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then swap out with hand-crafted illustrations."
He continued, "Larian brings on talent for their creative vision, not for their ability to follow what a algorithm proposes."
Three Pillars of Practical Application
Vincke had in the past outlined the team's practical strategy to AI and ML, defining its use into key pillars:
- Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
- Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using tools to quickly build simple mock-ups of gameplay ideas to test concepts prior to full development.
- Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how machine learning could in the future enhance innovative reactivity, especially in managing unforeseen permutations in a vast role-playing world.
He clearly noted that key artistic domains — like visual art — are are in no way departments where the team is reducing human involvement. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these very fields.
"Larian is not releasing a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on reducing teams to replace them with AI," Vincke concluded.
