The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Details Its Application of Machine Learning for New Divinity Game

The team behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its new project, creating a wave of hype within the player base. However, subsequent statements from the studio's figurehead have added a new dimension to the discussion, touching on the developer's stance toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent statement, Larian's director outlined that the team is using AI technology for certain supporting tasks. These include fleshing out pitch decks, creating initial artistic references, and writing draft copy.

Importantly, Vincke emphasized that the final material in the game will be authored exclusively by real creatives. "Our team is creating everything in-house," he stated.

We are continuously expanding our roster of writers and are actively assembling narrative groups.

Given that concept art is being explicitly called out — we presently have twenty-three artistic staff and have positions available for additional talent.

All our efforts we do is incremental and focused on enabling creatives to spend greater focus on the creative process.

Any AI system implemented properly is additive to a creative team process, not a replacement for their craft.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The news of AI usage initially generated concern among a segment of the community. In response, Vincke issued additional detail on public forums.

"Our team utilizes these tools to explore references, just like we use Google and art books," he explained. "During the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then substitute with hand-crafted illustrations."

He added, "Our studio recruits talent for their creative vision, not for their capacity to replicate what a AI generates."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had in the past broken down the studio's practical strategy to AI and ML, categorizing its use into three main areas:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This includes polishing mocap data, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to speedily create simple models of gameplay ideas to test concepts prior to complete production.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how AI could one day enhance innovative reactivity, particularly in simulating unforeseen permutations in a vast role-playing world.

He explicitly noted that key artistic areas — like visual art — are are absolutely not departments where the team is replacing creative involvement. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these precise roles.

"Larian is neither shipping a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not looking at trimming down staff to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.