Larian Studios Details Its Use of AI Tools for New Project

The studio behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its next major project, creating immense anticipation within the gaming community. However, follow-up comments from the company's lead designer have brought a new dimension to the narrative, touching on the studio's stance toward AI tools.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a latest statement, the studio's founder outlined that the team is utilizing generative AI for specific preliminary tasks. These include enhancing pitch decks, creating initial visual ideas, and drafting placeholder text.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the final content in the game will be authored exclusively by real creatives. "Our team is writing all the content manually," he stated.

Our studio is continuously growing our team of storytellers and are busily assembling writing teams.

As concept art is being specifically called out — we right now have twenty-three concept artists and have job openings for more artists.

Everything we do is additive and aimed at having people spend more time on the creative process.

Any machine learning application applied correctly is supplementary to a artist's workflow, not a replacement for their talent.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The admission of using AI initially generated unease among a segment of the player base. In reaction, Vincke provided further clarification on social media.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use Google and reference books," he explained. "In the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for composition which we then substitute with authentic artwork."

He added, "Larian brings on talent for their inherent skill, not for their ability to follow what a machine suggests."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had in the past outlined the studio's targeted approach to this technology, categorizing its use into primary pillars:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using systems to rapidly prototype basic versions of mechanics to test concepts ahead of expensive development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how machine learning could in the future create new forms of reactivity, especially in simulating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.

He explicitly noted that central narrative areas — like writing — are not departments where the team is reducing human talent. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these precise positions.

"Our studio is not releasing a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not planning on cutting teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.