The Divinity Developer Explains Its Application of Machine Learning for Upcoming Divinity
The team behind acclaimed role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its upcoming project, generating immense hype within the player base. However, follow-up statements from the studio's figurehead have introduced a new dimension to the conversation, addressing the team's stance toward AI tools.
Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs
In a recent clarification, Larian's director detailed that the team is using generative AI for particular preliminary tasks. These involve enhancing pitch decks, generating early-stage artistic references, and creating placeholder dialogue.
Notably, Vincke made clear that the final content in the game will be created exclusively by actual artists. "We are creating all the content in-house," he affirmed.
Our studio is constantly increasing our pool of writers and are currently putting together narrative groups.
As this area is being explicitly referenced — we currently have over twenty concept artists and have job openings for additional artists.
Each initiative we do is incremental and designed to having people spend greater focus on the creative process.
Every machine learning application used well is additive to a creative team workflow, never a stand-in for their skill.
Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision
The news of employing this technology originally sparked concern among portions of the community. In reaction, Vincke issued more elaboration on online platforms.
"At Larian, we employ AI tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use the internet and reference books," he wrote. "In the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then replace with authentic illustrations."
He noted, "We've hired artists for their creative vision, not for their ability to replicate what a machine suggests."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had previously broken down the company's focused method to AI and ML, defining its use into primary areas:
- Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes polishing mocap data, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to quickly build basic versions of mechanics to validate concepts prior to expensive development.
- Experimental Frontiers: Researching how machine learning could one day facilitate emergent gameplay, specifically in managing player-driven narratives in a complex RPG.
He specifically stated that key artistic domains — like music composition — are are absolutely not departments where the studio is reducing human talent. In fact, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact fields.
"We are not shipping a game with AI-generated content, nor considering trimming down teams to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.