Larian Studios Details Its Application of AI Tools for Next Project

The team behind hit RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its new project, creating significant hype within the industry. However, recent comments from the company's lead designer have added nuance to the narrative, focusing on the developer's stance toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new message, Swen Vincke outlined that the team is using AI technology for certain ancillary functions. These include fleshing out PowerPoint slides, producing early-stage artistic references, and writing temporary copy.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the final content in the game will be created solely by human artists. "We are developing everything ourselves," he said.

Larian is actively increasing our roster of storytellers and are currently assembling narrative groups.

Since concept art is being particularly referenced — we currently have twenty-three visual developers and have roles to fill for additional artists.

Each initiative we do is additive and focused on enabling creatives to spend greater focus on making content.

Any ML tool implemented properly is a boost to a developer's process, never a stand-in for their skill.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The admission of AI usage at first generated backlash among a segment of the community. In reaction, Vincke issued more detail on online platforms.

"At Larian, we employ AI tools to research ideas, just like we use search engines and physical media," he stated. "During the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for composition which we then substitute with original concept art."

He continued, "We've hired creatives for their inherent skill, not for their willingness to follow what a AI generates."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

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

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses refining animations, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adjusting assets for various species.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to quickly build rough versions of gameplay ideas to test concepts ahead of full development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how machine learning could eventually create new forms of reactivity, specifically in creating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.

He specifically affirmed that key artistic areas — such as music composition — are are in no way fields where the studio is reducing artistic input. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these very fields.

"Larian is neither shipping a game with any AI components, nor looking at cutting creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.