Larian Studios Details Its Application of Generative AI for Upcoming Project
The team behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its upcoming project, creating significant excitement within the player base. However, follow-up comments from the studio's co-founder have brought nuance to the discussion, focusing on the developer's philosophy toward AI tools.
A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement
In a latest statement, the studio's founder outlined that the company is employing generative AI for specific ancillary tasks. These involve enhancing pitch decks, creating early-stage concept art, and writing temporary copy.
Crucially, Vincke emphasized that the shipping assets in the game will be authored solely by actual writers. "We are developing every line manually," he said.
We are constantly growing our team of writers and are actively forming narrative groups.
Given that visual development is being particularly mentioned — we right now have over twenty artistic staff and have positions available for further talent.
Each initiative we do is additive and aimed at enabling creatives to spend more time on the creative process.
Any AI system used well is additive to a developer's process, never a stand-in for their talent.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The revelation of using AI initially generated unease among some the community. In reaction, Vincke provided further clarification on online platforms.
"We use these tools to gather inspiration, in the same way we use search engines and art books," he stated. "During the initial planning process we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then substitute with hand-crafted concept art."
He noted, "Our studio recruits creatives for their unique talent, not for their capacity to execute what a algorithm proposes."
Three Pillars of Practical Application
Vincke had in the past broken down the team's practical approach to this technology, defining its use into three main functions:
- Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
- Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to speedily create basic models of scenarios to test concepts prior to expensive implementation.
- Future Potential for Gameplay: Exploring how AI could one day facilitate new forms of reactivity, especially in creating unforeseen permutations in a complex RPG.
He specifically affirmed that key artistic disciplines — including visual art — are are in no way fields where the team is reducing artistic talent. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these exact fields.
"We are not shipping a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not looking at cutting creatives to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.
