The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Clarifies Its Application of Machine Learning for Upcoming Divinity

The team behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its next major project, generating significant excitement within the gaming community. However, subsequent comments from the studio's lead designer have brought a new dimension to the narrative, focusing on the developer's approach toward machine learning.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a new clarification, Swen Vincke detailed that the developer is using AI technology for specific preliminary functions. These include enhancing pitch decks, creating early-stage concept art, and drafting placeholder dialogue.

Importantly, Vincke emphasized that the final material in the game will be crafted entirely by real creatives. "Our team is writing all the content in-house," he affirmed.

Larian is actively increasing our roster of storytellers and are actively forming writing teams.

As visual development is being explicitly called out — we presently have twenty-three concept artists and have roles to fill for additional creatives.

Everything we do is incremental and focused on enabling creatives to spend greater focus on the creative process.

Every AI system used well is a boost to a creative team process, not a replacement for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The admission of AI usage at first generated unease among portions of the player base. In reply, Vincke issued additional detail on social media.

"At Larian, we employ these tools to explore references, in the same way we use the internet and art books," he wrote. "In the very early ideation stages we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then swap out with authentic concept art."

He continued, "Our studio recruits talent for their unique talent, not for their ability to replicate what a AI generates."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had previously detailed the company's targeted strategy to this technology, categorizing its use into three main areas:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This encompasses refining animations, voice editing, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create basic models of gameplay ideas to validate concepts ahead of full implementation.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Investigating how machine learning could eventually create emergent player agency, specifically in simulating unforeseen permutations in a complex RPG.

He explicitly noted that central narrative domains — such as music composition — are not fields where the team is cutting creative talent. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these exact roles.

"Our studio is neither shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor planning on reducing teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.