The Divinity Developer Details Its Use of Machine Learning for Upcoming Divinity
The studio behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its upcoming project, sparking significant excitement within the industry. However, recent remarks from the studio's co-founder have introduced nuance to the narrative, addressing the team's approach toward machine learning.
AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute
In a latest message, Larian's director detailed that the company is utilizing machine learning for particular supporting purposes. These include enhancing presentation materials, generating initial visual ideas, and drafting draft text.
Notably, Vincke made clear that the shipping content in the game will be created entirely by actual artists. "Larian is developing everything in-house," he affirmed.
Larian is continuously growing our roster of storytellers and are currently putting together dedicated writer rooms.
Since concept art is being particularly called out — we currently have 23 visual developers and have job openings for further artists.
Everything we do is supplementary and focused on having people spend additional energy on actual creation.
Every AI system implemented properly is a boost to a creative team workflow, never a stand-in for their skill.
Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path
The news of using AI at first sparked unease among portions of the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke offered additional clarification on online platforms.
"Our team utilizes machine learning to gather inspiration, similar to we use Google and physical media," he wrote. "During the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then swap out with original concept art."
He noted, "Our studio recruits creatives for their unique talent, not for their willingness to execute what a algorithm proposes."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had previously broken down the studio's targeted strategy to AI and ML, defining its use into key areas:
- Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and pipeline-specific tasks like adjusting assets for various species.
- Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to speedily create rough versions of scenarios to validate concepts prior to expensive implementation.
- Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how AI could in the future create new forms of player agency, specifically in managing dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.
He specifically stated that key artistic areas — such as visual art — are are in no way departments where the team is reducing human talent. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact roles.
"Larian is not launching a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not planning on cutting staff to swap them out with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.
