The Divinity Developer Details Its Application of AI Tools for Upcoming Divinity Game
The team behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its next major project, generating a wave of excitement within the player base. However, subsequent remarks from the company's co-founder have added a new dimension to the conversation, addressing the developer's stance toward AI tools.
AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute
In a new clarification, Swen Vincke outlined that the developer is utilizing AI technology for specific supporting functions. These encompass fleshing out PowerPoint slides, producing initial artistic references, and drafting placeholder dialogue.
Crucially, Vincke stressed that the end material in the game will be crafted solely by real artists. "Larian is writing everything manually," he said.
Our studio is actively increasing our team of storytellers and are busily assembling narrative groups.
Since concept art is being specifically referenced — we currently have over twenty visual developers and have roles to fill for more artists.
All our efforts we do is supplementary and aimed at letting our team spend additional energy on the creative process.
Any AI system implemented properly is supplementary to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their skill.
Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision
The admission of AI usage at first sparked concern among a segment of the player base. In reply, Vincke issued additional detail on public forums.
"Our team utilizes these tools to research ideas, similar to we use the internet and art books," he explained. "During the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then substitute with original illustrations."
He added, "We've hired artists for their unique talent, not for their willingness to replicate what a AI generates."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had earlier detailed the studio's focused method to this technology, categorizing its use into three main functions:
- Streamlining Repetitive Work: This includes polishing mocap data, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
- Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create simple models of mechanics to validate concepts ahead of complete implementation.
- Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how machine learning could one day create emergent gameplay, specifically in simulating unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe.
He explicitly noted that core creative domains — including visual art — are are in no way fields where the studio is reducing creative input. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these exact positions.
"Larian is not launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering trimming down creatives to swap them out with AI," Vincke summarized.
