“Ex-Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity Developers Accuse Larian Leadership of Misleading Claims on AI Use”

Larian Studios, known for its work on Baldur’s Gate 3 and the upcoming Divinity title, is currently facing criticism following CEO Swen Vincke’s comments regarding the use of generative AI. This controversy has been amplified by reactions from former employees.

It’s been a hectic week for Larian, especially with the announcement of a new Divinity game at The Game Awards 2025, coupled with the backlash over Vincke’s remarks on AI. He stated that “at this point everyone at the company is more or less OK with the way” Larian utilizes this technology. He clarified that AI is only used during the “very early ideation stages” and not in the final product.

Michael ‘Cromwelp’ Douse, the publishing director, also weighed in, asserting that Larian developers “don’t use AI for art” and expressing uncertainty about whether the studio deserves the level of criticism it’s receiving. Nevertheless, the community continues to voice its concerns about any use of AI, a sentiment echoed by some former employees. Anne Méthot, who spent four years as a QA tester at Larian, shared her thoughts on social media.

“LOL. As someone who’s worked there four years, I’m not surprised,” she commented, challenging Vincke’s assertion that everyone at Larian is fine with the AI approach. “He’s lying about people being okay with it,” she added, now working with Big Fan Games and Good Shepherd Entertainment. She isn’t alone in her views.

Selena Tobin, a former junior 3D environment artist at Larian for about a year and a half, also expressed her discontent. In her response to Vincke, she stated, “Consider my feedback: I loved working at Larian Studios until AI. Reconsider and change your direction, like, yesterday. Show your employees some respect.” She emphasized that the current Larian team is “world-class” and doesn’t need AI to generate great ideas.

Many fans and individuals claiming to have experience with Larian are echoing this sentiment, arguing that the studio’s talent is sufficient without the need for AI. Generative AI has a mixed reputation, often criticized for its method of sourcing content without proper permissions. As Larian navigates this situation, fans are hopeful for a resolution, especially with the new Divinity game in the works.