The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Explains Its Use of Generative AI for Next Project
The team behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently shown its new project, creating immense anticipation within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's figurehead have introduced nuance to the narrative, focusing on the team's stance toward AI tools.
Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs
In a latest statement, Larian's director detailed that the team is employing AI technology for certain ancillary functions. These involve enhancing PowerPoint slides, generating initial visual ideas, and drafting draft copy.
Crucially, Vincke emphasized that the end material in the game will be created exclusively by actual creatives. "Larian is developing all the content in-house," he affirmed.
Our studio is constantly growing our pool of concept artists and are busily putting together dedicated writer rooms.
Since concept art is being particularly called out — we currently have twenty-three artistic staff and have roles to fill for additional creatives.
Everything we do is additive and focused on having people spend additional energy on making content.
Any ML tool implemented properly is a boost to a artist's routine, never a stand-in for their craft.
Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent
The admission of using AI initially generated concern among some the community. In response, Vincke issued more detail on public forums.
"We use AI tools to research ideas, similar to we use the internet and physical media," he stated. "During the initial ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then replace with hand-crafted concept art."
He added, "Our studio recruits talent for their creative vision, not for their willingness to replicate what a machine suggests."
Key Areas of AI Integration
Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's focused strategy to AI and ML, categorizing its use into key pillars:
- Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like refining animations, audio processing, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
- Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using systems to quickly build basic mock-ups of scenarios to experiment with concepts prior to full implementation.
- Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how machine learning could one day create emergent gameplay, particularly in creating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.
He clearly noted that central narrative disciplines — including music composition — are are in no way areas where the studio is replacing human involvement. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these very positions.
"Our studio is neither releasing a game with AI-generated content, nor planning on cutting teams to substitute them with AI," Vincke concluded.
