The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Details Its Use of Machine Learning for Next Divinity Game

The team behind popular titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently teased its upcoming project, creating immense hype within the player base. However, subsequent comments from the company's co-founder have added clarity to the discussion, touching on the team's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a latest clarification, Swen Vincke outlined that the team is utilizing AI technology for particular supporting tasks. These involve fleshing out pitch decks, creating rough artistic references, and drafting draft text.

Crucially, Vincke made clear that the shipping content in the game will be authored entirely by human artists. "Our team is writing all the content in-house," he stated.

We are actively expanding our team of storytellers and are currently assembling writing teams.

As visual development is being explicitly mentioned — we currently have 23 concept artists and have job openings for additional talent.

Each initiative we do is incremental and designed to having people spend greater focus on making content.

Any machine learning application used well is supplementary to a creative team routine, not a substitute for their craft.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The revelation of using AI originally generated unease among portions of the community. In response, Vincke provided more clarification on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to research ideas, just like we use the internet and art books," he wrote. "In the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a simple sketch for layout which we then replace with original concept art."

He noted, "We've hired artists for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to execute what a AI generates."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had previously broken down the studio's practical method to machine learning, categorizing its use into primary functions:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This includes refining animations, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like retargeting animations.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to speedily create basic mock-ups of scenarios to experiment with concepts before complete implementation.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could eventually enhance new forms of gameplay, especially in simulating dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.

He specifically noted that key artistic domains — such as visual art — are not areas where the studio is replacing artistic involvement. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these very roles.

"Larian is not shipping a game with any AI components, nor considering cutting creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke concluded.