Baldur’s Gate Developer Addresses Criticism Over Generative AI Remarks
Larian, the studio behind Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity, has confirmed its use of generative AI in development, but not in the way many might assume. Following some backlash to comments made by Larian’s head, Swen Vincke, he provided further clarification. In a conversation with an outlet, Vincke explained that the team employs generative AI tools for brainstorming game concepts, creating concept art, generating placeholder text, and even for presentations. He noted, “I think at this point everyone at the company is more or less OK with the way we’re using it.” However, reports indicated there has been some internal pushback. Vincke also assured fans that the upcoming Divinity title will not feature any AI-generated content, stating, “Everything is human actors; we’re writing everything ourselves.”
An artist from Larian, Selena T., expressed concerns about the studio’s direction, saying they “loved working at Larian until AI” and urged the company to respect its talented employees who can generate amazing ideas without AI assistance. In response to the criticism, Vincke took to social media to clarify, “Holy fuck guys we’re not ‘pushing hard’ for or replacing concept artists with AI. We have a team of 72 artists, including 23 concept artists, and we are hiring more.” He emphasized that the art produced is original and that while they use AI for exploration, the actual concept art is crafted by skilled artists.
Vincke further explained that Larian hires creative individuals for their talent, not to follow machine suggestions. He mentioned that AI tools help artists experiment and streamline their workflow, particularly in the early stages of ideation, where they might use AI for rough outlines before creating original art. He reiterated that Larian is expanding its team of concept artists, writers, and storytellers, actively working on casting and recording performances.
He also made it clear that Larian will not release any game with AI components nor will it reduce its workforce in favor of AI. Vincke acknowledged the emotional nature of the topic but stressed that discussions within the company focus on improving the work environment for everyone. Larian’s publishing head, Michael Douse, added that using generative AI unnecessarily could harm the industry, emphasizing that the goal of any tool should be to enhance productivity and job satisfaction.
Vincke’s earlier comments about using machine learning for various tasks highlighted the potential for AI to enhance gameplay experiences by responding to player actions. He recognized the concerns surrounding AI in game development but maintained that Larian is hiring more staff, not less, thanks to these technologies. He believes that the human element remains crucial in game development, stating, “It’s always going to be the people that are going to make a difference.”
With automation freeing up time for creative work, Vincke noted that this could lead to more complex and interesting games. He pointed out that many animators spend significant time on tasks they find tedious, and automation could allow them to focus on more creative aspects. He argued that the goal of automation is not to cut costs but to enhance capabilities, which ultimately benefits the creative process.
The new Divinity game was recently teased with a striking CGI trailer, though no release date has been announced. Vincke has claimed that this upcoming title will surpass Baldur’s Gate 3 “on all fronts.”
