The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Details Its Use of AI Tools for New Project

The team behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its upcoming project, sparking immense excitement within the gaming community. However, recent statements from the studio's lead designer have introduced nuance to the discussion, focusing on the team's approach toward generative artificial intelligence.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a new message, the studio's founder explained that the developer is employing generative AI for particular ancillary tasks. These include developing presentation materials, producing initial visual ideas, and drafting draft dialogue.

Crucially, Vincke emphasized that the shipping assets in the game will be created exclusively by actual artists. "Our team is writing all the content manually," he stated.

Larian is constantly increasing our pool of storytellers and are currently assembling writing teams.

Given that visual development is being particularly mentioned — we currently have 23 artistic staff and have roles to fill for additional creatives.

Each initiative we do is incremental and designed to letting our team spend more time on actual creation.

Every AI system applied correctly is additive to a creative team workflow, not a substitute for their skill.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of employing this technology at first generated unease among some the community. In reaction, Vincke offered further clarification on public forums.

"Our team utilizes these tools to explore references, just like we use the internet and reference books," he stated. "In the very early planning process we use it as a rough outline for layout which we then substitute with original artwork."

He continued, "Our studio recruits artists for their inherent skill, not for their willingness to replicate what a algorithm proposes."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past broken down the company's practical strategy to AI and ML, categorizing its use into three main functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This includes refining animations, audio processing, and technical processes like adapting animations for different models.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using technology to speedily create basic mock-ups of mechanics to experiment with concepts prior to complete production.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how AI could eventually facilitate innovative gameplay, particularly in creating dynamic reactions in a vast role-playing world.

He specifically stated that central narrative disciplines — such as writing — are not areas where the team is cutting artistic involvement. In fact, Larian is recruiting more in these very fields.

"Larian is neither launching a game with AI-generated content, and we are certainly not considering reducing creatives to replace them with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.