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

The team behind acclaimed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its upcoming project, generating immense anticipation within the industry. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's figurehead have added a new dimension to the narrative, addressing the team's philosophy toward machine learning.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a new statement, the studio's founder outlined that the team is using AI technology for specific ancillary tasks. These encompass fleshing out presentation materials, generating initial visual ideas, and writing temporary text.

Notably, Vincke stressed that the final assets in the game will be created solely by real writers. "We are writing every line in-house," he said.

Larian is actively growing our roster of concept artists and are busily assembling writing teams.

Since visual development is being specifically mentioned — we currently have 23 artistic staff and have job openings for further artists.

Each initiative we do is additive and focused on having people spend greater focus on making content.

Any ML tool applied correctly is additive to a artist's routine, not a replacement for their talent.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The revelation of AI usage at first generated unease among portions of the player base. In reaction, Vincke provided additional detail on social media.

"We use AI tools to gather inspiration, just like we use Google and reference books," he explained. "In the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then substitute with authentic illustrations."

He added, "Our studio recruits creatives for their unique talent, not for their ability to replicate what a AI generates."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had earlier detailed the company's targeted method to this technology, grouping its use into key functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to speedily create rough versions of scenarios to test concepts prior to full development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how AI could eventually create emergent gameplay, particularly in simulating player-driven narratives in a complex RPG.

He specifically noted that central narrative areas — including visual art — are not fields where the company is reducing creative involvement. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these very roles.

"Larian is not releasing a game with AI-generated content, nor looking at reducing teams to swap them out with AI," Vincke stated definitively.