The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Clarifies Its Application of AI Tools for New Project

The team behind acclaimed titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its next major project, sparking a wave of hype within the player base. However, subsequent comments from the studio's co-founder have introduced a new dimension to the narrative, addressing the studio's philosophy toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest message, the studio's founder outlined that the developer is utilizing machine learning for particular ancillary functions. These include enhancing presentation materials, generating rough concept art, and writing placeholder copy.

Crucially, Vincke emphasized that the end content in the game will be created solely by real artists. "Our team is developing all the content in-house," he said.

Our studio is constantly increasing our roster of writers and are currently assembling dedicated writer rooms.

Given that visual development is being specifically called out — we currently have over twenty concept artists and have job openings for further talent.

All our efforts we do is supplementary and designed to enabling creatives to spend greater focus on actual creation.

Every ML tool used well is a boost to a creative team process, not a replacement for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of employing this technology initially sparked concern among a segment of the player base. In reply, Vincke offered further elaboration on social media.

"We use these tools to gather inspiration, just like we use Google and art books," he explained. "During the conceptual planning process we use it as a rough outline for layout which we then swap out with authentic artwork."

He noted, "Larian brings on creatives for their unique talent, not for their capacity to replicate what a machine suggests."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had earlier broken down the studio's practical approach to machine learning, grouping its use into key pillars:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like motion capture cleaning, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to rapidly prototype rough models of scenarios to experiment with concepts before complete implementation.
• Experimental Frontiers: Researching how AI could in the future facilitate emergent gameplay, especially in simulating dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.

He explicitly stated that core creative disciplines — such as music composition — are are absolutely not departments where the team is reducing artistic involvement. In fact, Larian is expanding its staff in these very fields.

"Larian is neither shipping a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not looking at cutting staff to swap them out with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.