The Divinity Developer Details Its Application of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity Game

The studio behind popular titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its next major project, creating immense anticipation within the gaming community. However, follow-up comments from the studio's lead designer have added nuance to the conversation, addressing the studio's stance toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent statement, Swen Vincke detailed that the company is employing AI technology for particular supporting purposes. These encompass enhancing presentation materials, generating early-stage visual ideas, and writing draft text.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the final material in the game will be authored entirely by actual creatives. "We are writing all the content ourselves," he affirmed.

Our studio is continuously growing our roster of concept artists and are busily forming narrative groups.

Given that visual development is being particularly mentioned — we currently have twenty-three concept artists and have positions available for further artists.

Everything we do is supplementary and designed to letting our team spend additional energy on making content.

Any machine learning application implemented properly is a boost to a creative team workflow, not a replacement for their skill.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The revelation of using AI at first generated backlash among portions of the player base. In reply, Vincke issued additional elaboration on public forums.

"Our team utilizes machine learning to explore references, just like we use Google and physical media," he explained. "In the conceptual ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then swap out with authentic illustrations."

He continued, "We've hired talent for their unique talent, not for their willingness to follow what a algorithm proposes."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had earlier detailed the company's targeted method to machine learning, grouping its use into primary functions:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses polishing mocap data, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to quickly build basic versions of mechanics to experiment with concepts before full production.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could one day create emergent reactivity, particularly in simulating unforeseen permutations in a vast role-playing world.

He clearly noted that key artistic domains — such as visual art — are not departments where the company is reducing human involvement. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these very positions.

"Our studio is not launching a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not considering trimming down creatives to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.