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

The developer behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently unveiled its next major project, creating significant hype within the industry. However, follow-up comments from the company's figurehead have introduced clarity to the narrative, touching on the team's approach toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new message, the studio's founder explained that the developer is utilizing generative AI for certain preliminary tasks. These include developing presentation materials, producing early-stage artistic references, and creating temporary dialogue.

Crucially, Vincke made clear that the final assets in the game will be crafted exclusively by human artists. "Our team is writing all the content manually," he affirmed.

Our studio is actively increasing our pool of storytellers and are currently assembling narrative groups.

As this area is being particularly mentioned — we currently have over twenty concept artists and have roles to fill for additional talent.

Everything we do is supplementary and aimed at having people spend greater focus on actual creation.

Every AI system implemented properly is supplementary to a creative team process, not a replacement for their skill.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of employing this technology initially provoked unease among some the fanbase. In response, Vincke provided more elaboration on social media.

"Our team utilizes AI tools to explore references, just like we use Google and art books," he wrote. "During the very early ideation stages we use it as a basic framework for layout which we then swap out with hand-crafted concept art."

He added, "Our studio recruits talent for their unique talent, not for their capacity to replicate what a algorithm proposes."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past broken down the studio's targeted strategy to machine learning, defining its use into primary functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like refining animations, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adjusting assets for various species.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to speedily create rough mock-ups of mechanics to experiment with concepts ahead of complete development.
• Experimental Frontiers: Investigating how machine learning could in the future create emergent reactivity, particularly in managing unforeseen permutations in a complex RPG.

He specifically noted that core creative disciplines — such as writing — are not fields where the studio is reducing human talent. On the contrary, Larian is actively hiring in these exact fields.

"Our studio is neither releasing a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not planning on reducing teams to substitute them with AI," Vincke stated definitively.