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

The studio behind popular role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its upcoming project, creating immense hype within the gaming community. However, recent statements from the company's co-founder have added nuance to the conversation, focusing on the team's stance toward generative artificial intelligence.

A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement

In a latest statement, Larian's director explained that the company is using AI technology for specific preliminary tasks. These encompass developing presentation materials, producing initial artistic references, and drafting temporary copy.

Importantly, Vincke made clear that the final content in the game will be crafted entirely by human writers. "We are developing every line manually," he affirmed.

Larian is constantly increasing our roster of storytellers and are currently forming narrative groups.

Since visual development is being particularly called out — we presently have 23 concept artists and have roles to fill for further creatives.

All our efforts we do is supplementary and aimed at enabling creatives to spend greater focus on the creative process.

Any AI system implemented properly is additive to a artist's process, not a replacement for their skill.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The revelation of using AI originally sparked backlash among some the fanbase. In response, Vincke offered more elaboration on social media.

"We use these tools to explore references, in the same way we use the internet and physical media," he stated. "In the very early ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for layout which we then substitute with hand-crafted concept art."

He added, "Larian brings on creatives for their inherent skill, not for their ability to execute what a machine suggests."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had earlier detailed the studio's practical strategy to machine learning, defining its use into three main functions:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: This encompasses polishing mocap data, dialogue cleanup, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using tools to quickly build rough models of scenarios to test concepts before complete production.
• Experimental Frontiers: Exploring how machine learning could one day create new forms of gameplay, particularly in simulating unforeseen permutations in a vast role-playing world.

He specifically affirmed that core creative domains — like music composition — are not departments where the studio is replacing artistic input. In fact, Larian is expanding its staff in these very roles.

"We are not shipping a game with machine-made assets, and we are certainly not planning on reducing staff to swap them out with artificial intelligence," Vincke concluded.