Larian Studios Details Its Use of Machine Learning for Upcoming Project

The developer behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently shown its upcoming project, generating immense excitement within the gaming community. However, recent comments from the company's lead designer have added nuance to the narrative, touching on the team's stance toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest message, the studio's founder explained that the team is utilizing AI technology for certain supporting tasks. These encompass fleshing out presentation materials, creating rough visual ideas, and creating draft text.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the shipping assets in the game will be crafted entirely by human writers. "Our team is creating all the content manually," he affirmed.

Our studio is actively increasing our roster of storytellers and are actively putting together writing teams.

As this area is being specifically called out — we presently have over twenty visual developers and have roles to fill for additional creatives.

Everything we do is additive and focused on letting our team spend greater focus on making content.

Every machine learning application applied correctly is additive to a creative team process, not a substitute for their craft.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The revelation of using AI originally provoked concern among a segment of the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke issued further detail on online platforms.

"We use these tools to gather inspiration, in the same way we use Google and physical media," he explained. "In the very early ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then swap out with original illustrations."

He noted, "Our studio recruits artists for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to replicate what a machine suggests."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past broken down the team's focused method to AI and ML, defining its use into primary functions:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses refining animations, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adjusting assets for various species.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to quickly build rough mock-ups of mechanics to test concepts before complete development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how machine learning could one day facilitate innovative gameplay, especially in simulating unforeseen permutations in a complex RPG.

He explicitly stated that core creative domains — such as writing — are are absolutely not areas where the studio is replacing human involvement. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these very fields.

"We are not releasing a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on reducing staff to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.