The Creators of Baldur's Gate 3 Explains Its Application of Machine Learning for Upcoming Project

The developer behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just shown its new project, creating a wave of hype within the gaming community. However, recent remarks from the company's co-founder have added nuance to the conversation, focusing on the studio's stance toward machine learning.

Augmenting Workflows, Not Cutting Jobs

In a latest message, the studio's founder outlined that the company is using machine learning for specific ancillary tasks. These encompass developing presentation materials, producing rough artistic references, and creating temporary copy.

Importantly, Vincke stressed that the final assets in the game will be crafted exclusively by real writers. "Larian is developing everything manually," he stated.

Larian is actively increasing our roster of concept artists and are actively assembling dedicated writer rooms.

As this area is being particularly called out — we presently have over twenty artistic staff and have positions available for additional creatives.

Everything we do is supplementary and focused on enabling creatives to spend additional energy on actual creation.

Any machine learning application used well is additive to a developer's workflow, not a replacement for their craft.

Responding to Feedback and Defining the Path

The admission of using AI at first provoked backlash among portions of the community. In reply, Vincke offered additional clarification on public forums.

"We use these tools to explore references, just like we use Google and art books," he wrote. "In the initial planning process we use it as a rough outline for structure which we then substitute with authentic concept art."

He continued, "Our studio recruits artists for their unique talent, not for their ability to follow what a machine suggests."

Focused Uses for Machine Learning

Vincke had previously broken down the studio's practical approach to this technology, defining its use into three main pillars:

• Streamlining Repetitive Work: Areas like motion capture cleaning, audio processing, and pipeline-specific tasks like retargeting animations.
• Rapid Prototyping ('White Boxing'): Using technology to quickly build rough versions of mechanics to experiment with concepts ahead of expensive implementation.
• Future Potential for Gameplay: Researching how AI could eventually enhance innovative player agency, particularly in creating dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.

He specifically stated that central narrative areas — like writing — are not fields where the team is replacing creative input. In fact, Larian is recruiting more in these very fields.

"Larian is not launching a game with any AI components, nor planning on cutting creatives to substitute them with AI," Vincke summarized.