The Divinity Developer Details Its Implementation of Generative AI for New Divinity

The team behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its new project, generating a wave of hype within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's lead designer have introduced clarity to the narrative, touching on the developer's stance toward AI tools.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a latest clarification, the studio's founder outlined that the team is using AI technology for certain preliminary tasks. These encompass fleshing out pitch decks, generating initial visual ideas, and creating placeholder copy.

Notably, Vincke made clear that the end assets in the game will be authored entirely by human artists. "We are writing all the content manually," he stated.

We are continuously expanding our pool of storytellers and are busily forming writing teams.

As this area is being explicitly mentioned — we presently have twenty-three artistic staff and have job openings for additional artists.

Everything we do is supplementary and focused on letting our team spend more time on making content.

Every ML tool applied correctly is a boost to a creative team workflow, not a replacement for their talent.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The news of using AI originally provoked backlash among a segment of the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke provided additional elaboration on public forums.

"We use these tools to research ideas, just like we use search engines and physical media," he explained. "During the conceptual planning process we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then substitute with authentic concept art."

He continued, "Larian brings on creatives for their inherent skill, not for their ability to replicate what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past outlined the studio's practical method to this technology, categorizing its use into key areas:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to rapidly prototype rough versions of mechanics to experiment with concepts prior to complete development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how machine learning could eventually create new forms of reactivity, especially in managing player-driven narratives in a complex RPG.

He specifically stated that central narrative areas — like music composition — are are absolutely not departments where the team is cutting human involvement. In fact, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact fields.

"We are not releasing a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering trimming down creatives to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.