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

The team behind popular titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just shown its new project, creating immense excitement within the player base. However, subsequent statements from the studio's figurehead have brought a new dimension to the narrative, touching on the studio's stance toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a recent message, Larian's director outlined that the developer is using machine learning for specific supporting tasks. These encompass enhancing presentation materials, creating initial visual ideas, and writing temporary text.

Notably, Vincke emphasized that the final material in the game will be authored exclusively by actual writers. "We are creating every line in-house," he affirmed.

Our studio is continuously increasing our pool of concept artists and are currently forming writing teams.

Since concept art is being specifically called out — we presently have over twenty artistic staff and have roles to fill for further creatives.

All our efforts we do is additive and aimed at having people spend additional energy on actual creation.

Any AI system used well is a boost to a developer's process, never a stand-in for their skill.

Tempering Reactions with Clear Intent

The revelation of employing this technology at first generated concern among a segment of the fanbase. In response, Vincke issued more elaboration on online platforms.

"At Larian, we employ machine learning to gather inspiration, in the same way we use search engines and physical media," he stated. "In the conceptual planning process we use it as a rough outline for layout which we then swap out with hand-crafted artwork."

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

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had in the past broken down the team's focused approach to machine learning, categorizing its use into three main functions:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: Areas like motion capture cleaning, voice editing, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using tools to rapidly prototype rough models of gameplay ideas to validate concepts prior to expensive implementation.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how AI could one day facilitate innovative reactivity, especially in simulating unforeseen permutations in a detailed game universe.

He specifically noted that key artistic areas — including writing — are are in no way areas where the studio is reducing artistic talent. Conversely, Larian is actively hiring in these exact fields.

"Our studio is not launching a game with any AI components, and we are certainly not planning on cutting teams to substitute them with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.