The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Explains Its Application of AI Tools for Next Project

The developer behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently unveiled its next major project, generating significant hype within the gaming community. However, follow-up remarks from the studio's lead designer have added clarity to the discussion, touching on the studio's philosophy toward AI tools.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a new clarification, Larian's director outlined that the team is utilizing generative AI for certain ancillary tasks. These include fleshing out presentation materials, generating initial visual ideas, and writing draft text.

Crucially, Vincke stressed that the final assets in the game will be crafted entirely by human creatives. "Larian is writing all the content in-house," he said.

Our studio is continuously growing our roster of storytellers and are busily putting together dedicated writer rooms.

Since this area is being particularly mentioned — we currently have twenty-three concept artists and have roles to fill for further talent.

All our efforts we do is supplementary and focused on enabling creatives to spend more time on making content.

Any ML tool implemented properly is supplementary to a creative team workflow, not a replacement for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The admission of employing this technology at first provoked concern among some the fanbase. In reaction, Vincke issued more clarification on online platforms.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to research ideas, similar to we use Google and reference books," he wrote. "In the initial planning process we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then swap out with original illustrations."

He continued, "We've hired talent for their inherent skill, not for their ability to execute what a algorithm proposes."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had earlier broken down the team's focused method to AI and ML, defining its use into three main areas:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: This encompasses polishing mocap data, voice editing, and technical processes like adjusting assets for various species.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to rapidly prototype basic models of scenarios to validate concepts prior to expensive development.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Investigating how AI could in the future create new forms of gameplay, specifically in simulating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He specifically noted that central narrative domains — like visual art — are are absolutely not fields where the company is replacing human talent. In fact, Larian is actively hiring in these exact positions.

"Larian is neither releasing a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not looking at reducing staff to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.