The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Details Its Implementation of Machine Learning for Next Divinity Game
The studio behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just teased its upcoming project, creating a wave of anticipation within the player base. However, recent comments from the company's figurehead have introduced nuance to the conversation, focusing on the developer's philosophy toward machine learning.
AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute
In a latest statement, Larian's director detailed that the team is utilizing AI technology for particular supporting purposes. These include enhancing PowerPoint slides, generating early-stage visual ideas, and writing placeholder text.
Notably, Vincke stressed that the shipping content in the game will be created solely by real creatives. "We are developing all the content ourselves," he said.
Our studio is actively growing our roster of writers and are currently putting together narrative groups.
Since this area is being explicitly referenced — we currently have over twenty visual developers and have roles to fill for further artists.
All our efforts we do is supplementary and designed to enabling creatives to spend more time on making content.
Every AI system applied correctly is a boost to a creative team process, never a stand-in for their skill.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The admission of using AI originally provoked concern among portions of the player base. In reaction, Vincke issued additional elaboration on online platforms.
"We use these tools to explore references, just like we use search engines and physical media," he wrote. "During the initial ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for composition which we then swap out with authentic artwork."
He noted, "Larian brings on creatives for their unique talent, not for their capacity to replicate what a machine suggests."
Focused Uses for Machine Learning
Vincke had previously outlined the studio's targeted method to AI and ML, grouping its use into key areas:
- Streamlining Repetitive Work: This encompasses motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to rapidly prototype basic models of scenarios to experiment with concepts before expensive implementation.
- Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how AI could in the future facilitate new forms of gameplay, especially in managing player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.
He clearly affirmed that central narrative disciplines — including writing — are not areas where the team is replacing human involvement. Conversely, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact fields.
"We are neither releasing a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not looking at cutting creatives to replace them with AI," Vincke summarized.
