Larian Studios Clarifies Its Implementation of Machine Learning for Next Project

The studio behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its upcoming project, creating a wave of excitement within the gaming community. However, subsequent remarks from the studio's co-founder have added clarity to the conversation, touching on the studio's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent clarification, Swen Vincke detailed that the company is using AI technology for certain preliminary tasks. These include enhancing pitch decks, creating early-stage visual ideas, and creating temporary dialogue.

Crucially, Vincke stressed that the end assets in the game will be authored entirely by human creatives. "We are writing all the content ourselves," he affirmed.

We are continuously increasing our roster of storytellers and are busily putting together writing teams.

Since concept art is being particularly called out — we right now have 23 concept artists and have positions available for more creatives.

Each initiative we do is supplementary and designed to enabling creatives to spend more time on the creative process.

Every machine learning application used well is supplementary to a developer's routine, never a stand-in for their talent.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The revelation of employing this technology at first provoked unease among some the player base. In response, Vincke issued further clarification on public forums.

"We use machine learning to explore references, similar to we use the internet and reference books," he explained. "During the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then replace with hand-crafted artwork."

He noted, "Our studio recruits creatives for their creative vision, not for their ability to follow what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past outlined the team's focused method to AI and ML, grouping its use into primary functions:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This includes motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using tools to rapidly prototype simple models of mechanics to experiment with concepts ahead of complete implementation.
• Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how machine learning could in the future enhance innovative gameplay, especially in managing unforeseen permutations in a complex RPG.

He specifically stated that central narrative areas — such as writing — are are absolutely not areas where the company is replacing human talent. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these very roles.

"Larian is not shipping a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not looking at cutting creatives to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.