The Divinity Developer Details Its Application of AI Tools for Upcoming Divinity

The developer behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its upcoming project, generating significant hype within the player base. However, subsequent comments from the studio's lead designer have added nuance to the discussion, touching on the team's approach toward AI tools.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a latest message, the studio's founder outlined that the team is employing AI technology for particular preliminary purposes. These include fleshing out PowerPoint slides, creating early-stage concept art, and writing placeholder dialogue.

Crucially, Vincke emphasized that the shipping assets in the game will be crafted exclusively by human artists. "Larian is creating every line in-house," he stated.

We are constantly expanding our roster of concept artists and are actively putting together narrative groups.

As concept art is being explicitly called out — we currently have twenty-three artistic staff and have job openings for more talent.

Each initiative we do is supplementary and aimed at enabling creatives to spend greater focus on actual creation.

Every ML tool implemented properly is additive to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their talent.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The revelation of employing this technology originally sparked backlash among portions of the fanbase. In response, Vincke issued additional clarification on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to explore references, just like we use search engines and art books," he wrote. "In the initial ideation stages we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then swap out with authentic illustrations."

He continued, "We've hired talent for their inherent skill, not for their ability to follow what a machine suggests."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had earlier broken down the studio's targeted approach to AI and ML, grouping its use into three main functions:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses polishing mocap data, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to rapidly prototype basic models of mechanics to experiment with concepts before expensive development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how AI could one day enhance new forms of player agency, specifically in creating unforeseen permutations in a complex RPG.

He explicitly affirmed that core creative domains — such as visual art — are are absolutely not departments where the company is replacing artistic talent. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these precise positions.

"Larian is neither shipping a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on trimming down teams to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.