The Divinity Developer Clarifies Its Application of Generative AI for Next Divinity

The developer behind acclaimed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just shown its upcoming project, creating a wave of excitement within the player base. However, follow-up statements from the company's lead designer have added clarity to the discussion, addressing the team's philosophy toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest clarification, Larian's director detailed that the team is using AI technology for particular supporting functions. These involve fleshing out presentation materials, producing early-stage artistic references, and drafting placeholder dialogue.

Notably, Vincke stressed that the shipping content in the game will be authored solely by actual writers. "Larian is creating every line manually," he stated.

Larian is actively growing our team of concept artists and are busily assembling narrative groups.

Since this area is being explicitly mentioned — we presently have 23 artistic staff and have positions available for more creatives.

Each initiative we do is incremental and designed to enabling creatives to spend additional energy on making content.

Every machine learning application implemented properly is supplementary to a creative team workflow, not a substitute for their craft.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The news of AI usage at first generated backlash among a segment of the community. In reply, Vincke offered more detail on social media.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to research ideas, similar to we use search engines and art books," he explained. "In the conceptual planning process we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then replace with original artwork."

He noted, "Our studio recruits artists for their creative vision, not for their capacity to follow what a algorithm proposes."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had previously outlined the studio's focused approach to AI and ML, defining its use into three main areas:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to speedily create basic mock-ups of mechanics to experiment with concepts prior to complete production.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how machine learning could eventually create emergent reactivity, specifically in simulating unforeseen permutations in a complex RPG.

He clearly affirmed that core creative disciplines — like music composition — are not fields where the team is replacing human input. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these precise positions.

"Larian is neither releasing a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not considering cutting staff to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.