The Divinity Developer Clarifies Its Use of Machine Learning for Next Divinity

The studio behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its new project, sparking immense excitement within the industry. However, follow-up remarks from the company's co-founder have brought clarity to the discussion, addressing the team's approach toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest statement, the studio's founder outlined that the company is employing machine learning for certain ancillary purposes. These encompass fleshing out presentation materials, creating initial artistic references, and creating draft text.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the final content in the game will be authored entirely by human writers. "Our team is developing every line in-house," he affirmed.

Larian is actively expanding our roster of writers and are busily putting together narrative groups.

As concept art is being explicitly mentioned — we right now have twenty-three artistic staff and have positions available for further creatives.

Everything we do is supplementary and focused on having people spend greater focus on actual creation.

Every machine learning application used well is additive to a artist's workflow, not a replacement for their skill.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The revelation of AI usage at first generated concern among portions of the player base. In reply, Vincke provided further clarification on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ machine learning to research ideas, similar to we use search engines and physical media," he explained. "In the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for composition which we then substitute with original illustrations."

He noted, "Our studio recruits creatives for their unique talent, not for their willingness to follow what a machine suggests."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had earlier detailed the studio's focused approach to AI and ML, categorizing its use into primary functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like refining animations, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create rough mock-ups of mechanics to test concepts before expensive production.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how AI could one day create innovative player agency, particularly in simulating player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.

He explicitly noted that key artistic areas — such as writing — are are in no way fields where the team is cutting creative involvement. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these precise positions.

"We are not launching a game with any AI components, nor planning on trimming down teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.