The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Details Its Use of AI Tools for Next Divinity

The developer behind acclaimed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its next major project, creating a wave of anticipation within the industry. However, recent statements from the company's figurehead have added nuance to the narrative, touching on the studio's approach toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new message, Larian's director outlined that the team is utilizing machine learning for specific supporting purposes. These include enhancing presentation materials, creating early-stage artistic references, and writing draft text.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the shipping material in the game will be crafted entirely by human writers. "Our team is creating everything in-house," he said.

Larian is actively expanding our pool of storytellers and are busily forming narrative groups.

Since this area is being particularly called out — we currently have over twenty concept artists and have positions available for further talent.

Each initiative we do is supplementary and aimed at letting our team spend additional energy on the creative process.

Any ML tool implemented properly is supplementary to a artist's workflow, not a substitute for their craft.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The news of using AI at first sparked concern among some the community. In reaction, Vincke offered further detail on social media.

"Our team utilizes these tools to research ideas, similar to we use search engines and physical media," he explained. "During the very early planning process we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then substitute with original concept art."

He added, "Our studio recruits talent for their creative vision, not for their ability to execute what a AI generates."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had previously broken down the studio's focused method to this technology, categorizing its use into primary pillars:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to speedily create rough models of mechanics to validate concepts prior to expensive development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how machine learning could eventually enhance innovative gameplay, particularly in simulating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He specifically stated that core creative disciplines — including writing — are not areas where the company is reducing creative talent. In fact, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact positions.

"We are neither shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor planning on trimming down teams to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.