The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Explains Its Implementation of Machine Learning for Upcoming Divinity

The developer behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its upcoming project, generating a wave of hype within the industry. However, subsequent statements from the company's co-founder have added clarity to the conversation, touching on the team's approach toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest message, Swen Vincke detailed that the team is utilizing AI technology for certain supporting tasks. These encompass enhancing PowerPoint slides, creating early-stage artistic references, and creating draft text.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the end content in the game will be created entirely by actual artists. "Larian is creating everything ourselves," he said.

We are constantly expanding our roster of writers and are busily putting together dedicated writer rooms.

As concept art is being explicitly mentioned — we presently have twenty-three artistic staff and have roles to fill for further creatives.

All our efforts we do is supplementary and focused on enabling creatives to spend greater focus on the creative process.

Any machine learning application applied correctly is supplementary to a developer's workflow, not a substitute for their craft.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The admission of using AI at first sparked concern among some the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke provided more detail on public forums.

"At Larian, we employ these tools to research ideas, in the same way we use the internet and physical media," he wrote. "In the initial planning process we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then substitute with hand-crafted artwork."

He added, "Larian brings on creatives for their unique talent, not for their capacity to replicate what a machine suggests."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had earlier detailed the company's practical approach to this technology, categorizing its use into key pillars:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like refining animations, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like retargeting animations.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to quickly build basic models of gameplay ideas to validate concepts before complete implementation.
• Experimental Frontiers: Researching how machine learning could in the future enhance innovative player agency, particularly in creating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He clearly noted that core creative areas — including writing — are not departments where the team is replacing human involvement. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these very fields.

"We are neither launching a game with any AI components, nor considering reducing staff to replace them with AI," Vincke summarized.