Larian Studios Details Its Use of AI Tools for Next Project

The team behind acclaimed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its upcoming project, creating a wave of excitement within the industry. However, subsequent comments from the company's co-founder have added a new dimension to the discussion, addressing the studio's approach toward machine learning.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a new clarification, the studio's founder detailed that the team is utilizing machine learning for particular ancillary purposes. These include fleshing out PowerPoint slides, producing initial artistic references, and writing placeholder copy.

Crucially, Vincke made clear that the final content in the game will be authored solely by actual creatives. "Larian is creating every line ourselves," he said.

Our studio is continuously increasing our team of storytellers and are currently assembling writing teams.

As visual development is being explicitly called out — we currently have 23 concept artists and have roles to fill for additional talent.

All our efforts we do is incremental and designed to enabling creatives to spend more time on actual creation.

Any machine learning application used well is supplementary to a developer's workflow, not a replacement for their skill.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of employing this technology initially provoked concern among a segment of the community. In response, Vincke offered further clarification on social media.

"Our team utilizes machine learning to gather inspiration, in the same way we use search engines and art books," he explained. "During the very early planning process we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then substitute with authentic illustrations."

He noted, "Our studio recruits talent for their inherent skill, not for their ability to replicate what a algorithm proposes."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had earlier outlined the studio's practical strategy to this technology, defining its use into key pillars:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This includes motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using technology to speedily create simple models of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts before complete development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how machine learning could in the future facilitate emergent player agency, particularly in simulating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He clearly noted that key artistic disciplines — such as music composition — are are in no way departments where the studio is replacing human involvement. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these very roles.

"Our studio is neither releasing a game with any AI components, nor looking at cutting staff to replace them with AI," Vincke concluded.