🔗 Share this article Larian Studios Details Its Use of Machine Learning for Upcoming Project The team behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its new project, generating significant hype within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's co-founder have introduced nuance to the conversation, addressing the studio's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence. A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement In a recent message, Swen Vincke detailed that the team is utilizing AI technology for particular ancillary purposes. These involve developing presentation materials, generating rough concept art, and creating placeholder dialogue. Notably, Vincke made clear that the final assets in the game will be created entirely by human writers. "Larian is creating everything in-house," he stated. Our studio is continuously expanding our pool of concept artists and are busily forming writing teams. As this area is being particularly mentioned — we right now have twenty-three artistic staff and have positions available for more creatives. Each initiative we do is additive and focused on having people spend additional energy on the creative process. Any AI system used well is additive to a creative team workflow, not a substitute for their skill. Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent The admission of AI usage initially sparked concern among some the community. In reaction, Vincke provided more detail on public forums. "We use machine learning to explore references, just like we use the internet and physical media," he explained. "In the conceptual planning process we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then replace with hand-crafted concept art." He noted, "Our studio recruits creatives for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to replicate what a AI generates." Three Pillars of Practical Application Vincke had previously outlined the company's practical approach to machine learning, grouping its use into primary areas: Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models. Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using technology to quickly build basic models of mechanics to validate concepts prior to complete development. Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how AI could eventually facilitate new forms of player agency, particularly in managing unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe. He explicitly noted that core creative disciplines — such as writing — are are in no way departments where the team is replacing creative involvement. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these exact roles. "Our studio is not launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on reducing teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.
The team behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its new project, generating significant hype within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's co-founder have introduced nuance to the conversation, addressing the studio's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence. A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement In a recent message, Swen Vincke detailed that the team is utilizing AI technology for particular ancillary purposes. These involve developing presentation materials, generating rough concept art, and creating placeholder dialogue. Notably, Vincke made clear that the final assets in the game will be created entirely by human writers. "Larian is creating everything in-house," he stated. Our studio is continuously expanding our pool of concept artists and are busily forming writing teams. As this area is being particularly mentioned — we right now have twenty-three artistic staff and have positions available for more creatives. Each initiative we do is additive and focused on having people spend additional energy on the creative process. Any AI system used well is additive to a creative team workflow, not a substitute for their skill. Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent The admission of AI usage initially sparked concern among some the community. In reaction, Vincke provided more detail on public forums. "We use machine learning to explore references, just like we use the internet and physical media," he explained. "In the conceptual planning process we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then replace with hand-crafted concept art." He noted, "Our studio recruits creatives for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to replicate what a AI generates." Three Pillars of Practical Application Vincke had previously outlined the company's practical approach to machine learning, grouping its use into primary areas: Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models. Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using technology to quickly build basic models of mechanics to validate concepts prior to complete development. Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how AI could eventually facilitate new forms of player agency, particularly in managing unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe. He explicitly noted that core creative disciplines — such as writing — are are in no way departments where the team is replacing creative involvement. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these exact roles. "Our studio is not launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on reducing teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.