Renowned D&D designer urges critics of Larian’s AI to ease up, reflecting on a once more appreciative RPG community.

Larian, the studio behind Baldur’s Gate 3, has faced significant backlash after announcing its use of AI for concept art and placeholder text in the upcoming Divinity title. Despite this, the studio reassured fans that no AI-generated content will appear in the final game. In the midst of this controversy, a respected figure in the D&D community has come forward to support Larian.

Robert Kuntz, one of the original authors and designers of D&D, took to social media to defend Larian and its CEO, Swen Vincke. He urged fans to ease up on the creative team, stating, “It’s sorta disappointing to see [Vincke] treated like some sort of outsider. I extend my personal well-wishes to the studio for their continued success.”

In a more extensive tweet, Kuntz criticized the backlash against Larian as “eye-popping rage bait” from individuals exhibiting “bad actor syndrome.” He called for RPG and D&D fans to show more appreciation for the creators behind the games they love, reflecting on how the community used to be more respectful and supportive.

AI has become a contentious topic in the gaming world, and Vincke has acknowledged the strong emotions it stirs. He emphasized that Larian is exploring AI to stay at the forefront of technology. Recently, he mentioned that “a lot has become lost in translation” regarding his earlier comments on AI, and he plans to host an AMA to clarify the studio’s stance and intentions.

In related discussions, the lead of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 expressed concerns that AI could lead to significant changes in the industry, but also noted that if AI can streamline game development with smaller teams, he would be in favor of its use.