Larian CEO Acknowledges Miscommunication Over AI Controversy in Divinity Series

Larian Studios has had a whirlwind week following the announcement of their upcoming RPG, Divinity, which has generated a lot of excitement. However, the buzz has been somewhat overshadowed by a heated online debate regarding the studio’s stance on AI tools in game development, sparked by an interview with Bloomberg featuring CEO Swen Vincke. In light of the backlash, Larian is eager to clarify their position on Divinity and AI usage.

Vincke took to Twitter to address the situation, stating, “It’s been a week since we announced Divinity, our next RPG, and a lot has become lost in translation.” He emphasized that “Larian’s DNA is agency,” highlighting the studio’s commitment to benefiting their teams, games, and players. He believes in creating a better work environment to produce the best possible games, asserting that their success stems from empowering individuals to leverage their skills and creativity.

Vincke acknowledged the importance of evaluating new technologies but assured that any processes that do not align with Larian’s values would be adjusted. To further address concerns and take some pressure off himself, Larian plans to host an AMA after the holidays, where representatives from various departments will answer questions about Divinity and their development process. The date for this event will be announced in the new year.

In case you missed it, Vincke revealed that Larian is indeed utilizing generative AI tools during the development of Divinity. He clarified that while no AI-generated content will appear in the game itself—stating, “Everything is human actors; we’re writing everything ourselves”—the team is using AI for tasks like generating placeholder text and concept art for the highly anticipated RPG. This revelation has led to criticism from fans and fellow developers alike. In response to the backlash, Vincke firmly stated, “Holy f**k guys we’re not ‘pushing hard’ for or replacing concept artists with AI,” and reassured that the studio is actually expanding its roster of artists. This stance on AI isn’t entirely new; earlier this year, Vincke mentioned in an interview that the studio was employing machine-learning tools to automate less desirable tasks.