The Divinity Developer Details Its Application of Machine Learning for New Project

The team behind acclaimed role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just shown its new project, creating immense excitement within the player base. However, subsequent comments from the company's figurehead have introduced a new dimension to the discussion, touching on the developer's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a recent statement, the studio's founder explained that the developer is utilizing machine learning for specific preliminary purposes. These involve fleshing out presentation materials, generating early-stage artistic references, and drafting draft text.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the final content in the game will be created solely by real writers. "Our team is developing everything ourselves," he said.

We are continuously growing our roster of concept artists and are busily putting together narrative groups.

As visual development is being explicitly mentioned — we right now have over twenty artistic staff and have job openings for further creatives.

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

Every machine learning application applied correctly is supplementary to a creative team process, not a substitute for their talent.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The admission of using AI initially provoked backlash among some the community. In reaction, Vincke provided more clarification on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ machine learning to research ideas, similar to we use search engines and art books," he wrote. "In the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then substitute with authentic concept art."

He added, "We've hired creatives for their creative vision, not for their ability to follow what a machine suggests."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past broken down the company's practical approach to AI and ML, grouping its use into primary areas:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses polishing mocap data, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using technology to speedily create basic models of mechanics to validate concepts prior to complete development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how machine learning could in the future facilitate emergent reactivity, particularly in simulating unforeseen permutations in a vast role-playing world.

He specifically stated that central narrative areas — including writing — are are in no way fields where the team is reducing artistic involvement. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these precise positions.

"Our studio is not launching a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not looking at reducing creatives to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.