The Divinity Developer Details Its Implementation of Machine Learning for New Divinity
The team behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its next major project, sparking significant excitement within the gaming community. However, recent comments from the studio's co-founder have brought a new dimension to the narrative, touching on the developer's philosophy toward generative artificial intelligence.
A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement
In a recent message, the studio's founder detailed that the company is using generative AI for specific supporting functions. These encompass fleshing out presentation materials, creating early-stage concept art, and drafting placeholder dialogue.
Crucially, Vincke stressed that the end material in the game will be authored exclusively by actual artists. "Our team is developing all the content ourselves," he stated.
Our studio is actively increasing our roster of concept artists and are busily putting together writing teams.
Given that concept art is being specifically called out — we right now have twenty-three artistic staff and have roles to fill for additional talent.
Each initiative we do is incremental and aimed at enabling creatives to spend greater focus on actual creation.
Every machine learning application applied correctly is supplementary to a artist's process, never a stand-in for their craft.
Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path
The revelation of using AI at first sparked concern among some the community. In reply, Vincke issued further elaboration on online platforms.
"Our team utilizes these tools to gather inspiration, in the same way we use Google and physical media," he explained. "In the initial ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for structure which we then replace with hand-crafted concept art."
He continued, "We've hired artists for their unique talent, not for their capacity to replicate what a AI generates."
Three Pillars of Practical Application
Vincke had previously broken down the studio's targeted method to machine learning, grouping its use into key functions:
- Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like refining animations, voice editing, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
- Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to quickly build simple mock-ups of scenarios to experiment with concepts ahead of full development.
- Experimental Frontiers: Researching how AI could in the future enhance emergent reactivity, especially in simulating player-driven narratives in a complex RPG.
He explicitly noted that key artistic disciplines — including writing — are are in no way departments where the team is replacing artistic talent. In fact, Larian is recruiting more in these very fields.
"Our studio is not releasing a game with AI-generated content, nor considering cutting creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.
