The Divinity Developer Explains Its Implementation of Generative AI for Upcoming Divinity

The developer behind acclaimed role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its new project, creating immense hype within the industry. However, follow-up remarks from the company's co-founder have brought a new dimension to the conversation, touching on the studio's approach toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new message, the studio's founder explained that the team is utilizing generative AI for certain preliminary functions. These encompass enhancing PowerPoint slides, generating initial visual ideas, and drafting draft text.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the shipping assets in the game will be crafted solely by real creatives. "Our team is developing everything ourselves," he said.

Our studio is continuously growing our roster of writers and are actively putting together dedicated writer rooms.

Since concept art is being specifically called out — we presently have 23 concept artists and have positions available for additional artists.

All our efforts we do is additive and designed to having people spend greater focus on the creative process.

Any ML tool used well is additive to a artist's process, not a substitute for their skill.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The revelation of employing this technology originally provoked backlash among a segment of the player base. In response, Vincke provided further clarification on online platforms.

"We use these tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use Google and reference books," he explained. "During the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then swap out with hand-crafted illustrations."

He continued, "Our studio recruits talent for their inherent skill, not for their capacity to execute what a AI generates."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had earlier outlined the studio's practical method to AI and ML, categorizing its use into primary functions:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses refining animations, dialogue cleanup, and pipeline-specific tasks like adapting animations for different models.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using tools to speedily create basic mock-ups of scenarios to test concepts ahead of expensive development.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Exploring how machine learning could one day enhance innovative player agency, particularly in managing player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world.

He specifically stated that core creative areas — including visual art — are not fields where the studio is cutting human talent. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these precise roles.

"Larian is neither releasing a game with machine-made assets, nor looking at trimming down creatives to replace them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.