The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Clarifies Its Use of Generative AI for Next Project

The team behind popular titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently shown its upcoming project, sparking a wave of hype within the player base. However, subsequent statements from the company's figurehead have introduced a new dimension to the narrative, addressing the studio's philosophy toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent message, Swen Vincke detailed that the team is employing machine learning for particular ancillary functions. These encompass developing pitch decks, producing rough visual ideas, and creating temporary text.

Importantly, Vincke stressed that the end assets in the game will be created solely by actual artists. "Our team is developing all the content manually," he affirmed.

We are constantly growing our team of storytellers and are busily assembling writing teams.

Since this area is being specifically mentioned — we right now have over twenty concept artists and have positions available for more talent.

Everything we do is incremental and designed to enabling creatives to spend more time on actual creation.

Any ML tool used well is additive to a developer's process, not a replacement for their talent.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of AI usage at first generated concern among some the player base. In reaction, Vincke provided more detail on social media.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to research ideas, just like we use Google and physical media," he wrote. "In the conceptual brainstorming phase we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then substitute with authentic artwork."

He continued, "Larian brings on artists for their creative vision, not for their ability to replicate what a machine suggests."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had in the past outlined the studio's targeted strategy to machine learning, grouping its use into three main functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This includes motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and Larian-specific work like adapting animations for different models.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to speedily create rough models of gameplay ideas to validate concepts ahead of expensive implementation.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how AI could one day create new forms of player agency, especially in simulating dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.

He specifically noted that core creative disciplines — like visual art — are are in no way areas where the company is cutting artistic input. In fact, Larian is expanding its staff in these precise roles.

"Our studio is not shipping a game with AI-generated content, nor considering reducing teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.