🔗 Share this article Larian Studios Details Its Use of Machine Learning for Upcoming Project The team behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its new project, generating a wave of hype within the industry. However, recent remarks from the studio's co-founder have brought a new dimension to the conversation, touching on the team's stance toward machine learning. Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs In a new statement, Swen Vincke detailed that the team is employing machine learning for particular ancillary purposes. These involve enhancing PowerPoint slides, creating rough visual ideas, and writing draft text. Notably, Vincke made clear that the final material in the game will be created exclusively by human artists. "Our team is writing everything manually," he stated. We are actively expanding our pool of storytellers and are busily assembling dedicated writer rooms. Since this area is being particularly called out — we presently have over twenty concept artists and have roles to fill for further creatives. Each initiative we do is additive and designed to having people spend greater focus on the creative process. Any machine learning application implemented properly is a boost to a creative team workflow, not a substitute for their talent. Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision The revelation of using AI at first sparked unease among some the player base. In reaction, Vincke issued further elaboration on public forums. "At Larian, we employ AI tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use the internet and art books," he wrote. "In the conceptual ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then swap out with authentic artwork." He noted, "Larian brings on artists for their inherent skill, not for their willingness to follow what a algorithm proposes." Focused Uses for Machine Learning Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's practical strategy to this technology, categorizing its use into primary areas: Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models. Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to rapidly prototype rough mock-ups of mechanics to experiment with concepts prior to complete production. Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how AI could in the future create new forms of reactivity, especially in managing player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world. He explicitly noted that core creative domains — like visual art — are are absolutely not fields where the studio is replacing artistic talent. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these exact positions. "Our studio is neither launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering reducing teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.
The team behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its new project, generating a wave of hype within the industry. However, recent remarks from the studio's co-founder have brought a new dimension to the conversation, touching on the team's stance toward machine learning. Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs In a new statement, Swen Vincke detailed that the team is employing machine learning for particular ancillary purposes. These involve enhancing PowerPoint slides, creating rough visual ideas, and writing draft text. Notably, Vincke made clear that the final material in the game will be created exclusively by human artists. "Our team is writing everything manually," he stated. We are actively expanding our pool of storytellers and are busily assembling dedicated writer rooms. Since this area is being particularly called out — we presently have over twenty concept artists and have roles to fill for further creatives. Each initiative we do is additive and designed to having people spend greater focus on the creative process. Any machine learning application implemented properly is a boost to a creative team workflow, not a substitute for their talent. Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision The revelation of using AI at first sparked unease among some the player base. In reaction, Vincke issued further elaboration on public forums. "At Larian, we employ AI tools to gather inspiration, similar to we use the internet and art books," he wrote. "In the conceptual ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then swap out with authentic artwork." He noted, "Larian brings on artists for their inherent skill, not for their willingness to follow what a algorithm proposes." Focused Uses for Machine Learning Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's practical strategy to this technology, categorizing its use into primary areas: Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models. Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to rapidly prototype rough mock-ups of mechanics to experiment with concepts prior to complete production. Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how AI could in the future create new forms of reactivity, especially in managing player-driven narratives in a vast role-playing world. He explicitly noted that core creative domains — like visual art — are are absolutely not fields where the studio is replacing artistic talent. Conversely, Larian is recruiting more in these exact positions. "Our studio is neither launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering reducing teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.