The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Explains Its Application of Generative AI for Next Divinity

The studio behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its upcoming project, generating significant anticipation within the industry. However, subsequent comments from the company's co-founder have added nuance to the narrative, addressing the developer's philosophy toward AI tools.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a latest clarification, the studio's founder outlined that the company is employing generative AI for particular preliminary tasks. These include enhancing pitch decks, creating early-stage concept art, and creating draft dialogue.

Crucially, Vincke stressed that the shipping material in the game will be created exclusively by human artists. "We are creating every line ourselves," he said.

Our studio is actively growing our team of concept artists and are currently assembling writing teams.

Since concept art is being particularly mentioned — we right now have 23 artistic staff and have job openings for further creatives.

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

Every ML tool applied correctly is supplementary to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their skill.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The revelation of AI usage originally generated concern among portions of the community. In response, Vincke offered additional elaboration on online platforms.

"At Larian, we employ machine learning to explore references, in the same way we use search engines and reference books," he explained. "During the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then replace with authentic artwork."

He added, "We've hired creatives for their inherent skill, not for their ability to follow what a algorithm proposes."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had earlier broken down the team's focused strategy to this technology, grouping its use into key pillars:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create rough mock-ups of scenarios to experiment with concepts before complete implementation.
• Experimental Frontiers: Researching how machine learning could in the future facilitate new forms of reactivity, specifically in creating dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.

He clearly noted that key artistic disciplines — such as music composition — are not departments where the studio is replacing artistic input. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these very roles.

"We are neither launching a game with AI-generated content, nor looking at reducing creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.