The Divinity Developer Explains Its Use of Machine Learning for Upcoming Divinity Game
The studio behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its upcoming project, sparking significant anticipation within the gaming community. However, follow-up statements from the studio's co-founder have added nuance to the discussion, addressing the developer's stance toward generative artificial intelligence.
AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute
In a new message, the studio's founder explained that the company is employing generative AI for certain ancillary purposes. These include enhancing presentation materials, generating initial visual ideas, and creating placeholder dialogue.
Crucially, Vincke stressed that the shipping content in the game will be authored exclusively by real creatives. "We are writing every line ourselves," he affirmed.
Larian is constantly growing our pool of storytellers and are currently forming dedicated writer rooms.
Given that visual development is being particularly mentioned — we right now have 23 visual developers and have positions available for additional talent.
All our efforts we do is supplementary and focused on having people spend greater focus on making content.
Every ML tool used well is supplementary to a artist's process, not a replacement for their talent.
Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path
The revelation of employing this technology at first provoked concern among some the player base. In reply, Vincke offered additional detail on public forums.
"Our team utilizes these tools to gather inspiration, just like we use Google and physical media," he explained. "In the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then replace with original artwork."
He continued, "We've hired creatives for their creative vision, not for their ability to execute what a algorithm proposes."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had previously broken down the team's practical strategy to machine learning, defining its use into key areas:
- Streamlining Repetitive Work: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like retargeting animations.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to rapidly prototype rough mock-ups of gameplay ideas to validate concepts ahead of full production.
- Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could in the future enhance emergent player agency, particularly in simulating player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.
He explicitly affirmed that central narrative areas — including music composition — are are in no way fields where the company is replacing creative talent. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these precise positions.
"Larian is neither releasing a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not considering trimming down teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.
