The Divinity Developer Explains Its Application of AI Tools for New Project

The studio behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its next major project, generating immense anticipation within the player base. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's lead designer have added nuance to the narrative, focusing on the studio's stance toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new message, the studio's founder detailed that the company is employing generative AI for specific supporting purposes. These encompass fleshing out presentation materials, creating early-stage visual ideas, and writing temporary text.

Importantly, Vincke emphasized that the shipping content in the game will be created solely by real artists. "We are developing everything manually," he affirmed.

We are continuously expanding our roster of concept artists and are actively forming narrative groups.

Since visual development is being specifically referenced — we right now have 23 artistic staff and have positions available for additional artists.

Everything we do is incremental and designed to enabling creatives to spend more time on actual creation.

Any machine learning application used well is additive to a creative team workflow, never a stand-in for their skill.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The admission of AI usage originally provoked backlash among portions of the community. In reply, Vincke offered further clarification on public forums.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to gather inspiration, just like we use search engines and art books," he explained. "In the initial ideation stages we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then substitute with authentic artwork."

He added, "We've hired creatives for their creative vision, not for their capacity to follow what a algorithm proposes."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had previously outlined the team's targeted strategy to machine learning, categorizing its use into three main pillars:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes refining animations, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to rapidly prototype rough models of scenarios to validate concepts prior to full implementation.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could eventually create emergent reactivity, particularly in creating dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.

He specifically affirmed that core creative domains — like writing — are are absolutely not areas where the company is cutting artistic talent. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these precise roles.

"Our studio is neither shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor considering cutting creatives to swap them out with AI," Vincke concluded.