The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Explains Its Use of Generative AI for New Project

The team behind acclaimed RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently shown its next major project, generating significant anticipation within the gaming community. However, subsequent statements from the company's lead designer have brought clarity to the conversation, focusing on the team's stance toward machine learning.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a latest message, Larian's director outlined that the team is employing machine learning for specific supporting purposes. These involve enhancing PowerPoint slides, producing early-stage visual ideas, and writing placeholder dialogue.

Crucially, Vincke emphasized that the end content in the game will be authored entirely by real artists. "Larian is creating every line manually," he said.

We are constantly expanding our roster of concept artists and are busily forming dedicated writer rooms.

As concept art is being particularly mentioned — we right now have twenty-three concept artists and have positions available for further creatives.

Each initiative we do is incremental and designed to enabling creatives to spend additional energy on the creative process.

Every ML tool applied correctly is supplementary to a creative team routine, never a stand-in for their talent.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The admission of employing this technology originally provoked backlash among portions of the player base. In response, Vincke provided more elaboration on social media.

"We use these tools to explore references, similar to we use Google and reference books," he explained. "In the initial brainstorming phase we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then substitute with original concept art."

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

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had previously detailed the company's practical strategy to AI and ML, categorizing its use into primary functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This encompasses refining animations, voice editing, and pipeline-specific tasks like adjusting assets for various species.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to rapidly prototype basic versions of gameplay ideas to experiment with concepts prior to expensive development.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how AI could eventually facilitate emergent player agency, specifically in managing dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.

He clearly affirmed that key artistic domains — including writing — are are in no way fields where the studio is cutting artistic talent. In fact, Larian is recruiting more in these precise positions.

"Larian is not shipping a game with machine-made assets, nor considering cutting teams to replace them with AI," Vincke concluded.