The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Explains Its Use of Machine Learning for New Project

The team behind hit titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin recently shown its upcoming project, sparking significant anticipation within the player base. However, follow-up comments from the studio's lead designer have brought nuance to the narrative, touching on the studio's approach toward AI tools.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest statement, the studio's founder detailed that the company is employing AI technology for specific supporting functions. These encompass developing pitch decks, producing early-stage artistic references, and drafting draft dialogue.

Importantly, Vincke emphasized that the end content in the game will be crafted exclusively by human writers. "Larian is developing everything in-house," he said.

Our studio is constantly increasing our team of writers and are actively putting together dedicated writer rooms.

As this area is being particularly called out — we currently have over twenty visual developers and have positions available for further artists.

Everything we do is supplementary and aimed at having people spend additional energy on making content.

Any ML tool used well is a boost to a developer's process, not a substitute for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The news of AI usage initially sparked backlash among some the fanbase. In response, Vincke issued more elaboration on social media.

"At Larian, we employ machine learning to explore references, just like we use the internet and reference books," he wrote. "During the initial ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then substitute with original illustrations."

He noted, "We've hired talent for their creative vision, not for their capacity to execute what a AI generates."

Three Pillars of Practical Application

Vincke had in the past outlined the studio's targeted method to AI and ML, categorizing its use into three main areas:

• Handling Monotonous Jobs: This includes refining animations, audio processing, and Larian-specific work like retargeting animations.
• Fast-Tracked Experimentation: Using systems to speedily create basic models of gameplay ideas to test concepts prior to full production.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how AI could one day create emergent gameplay, specifically in simulating player-driven narratives in a detailed game universe.

He clearly stated that key artistic areas — like writing — are not areas where the studio is reducing artistic input. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact roles.

"We are neither launching a game with machine-made assets, nor planning on cutting creatives to replace them with AI," Vincke concluded.