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

The developer behind hit role-playing games like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin has recently teased its next major project, sparking immense excitement within the industry. However, follow-up comments from the company's co-founder have introduced nuance to the discussion, focusing on the studio's approach toward machine learning.

AI as a Creative Assistant, Not a Substitute

In a latest clarification, the studio's founder detailed that the developer is employing generative AI for certain preliminary tasks. These encompass developing pitch decks, producing rough visual ideas, and creating temporary copy.

Notably, Vincke stressed that the end assets in the game will be created entirely by human creatives. "We are writing all the content in-house," he stated.

We are actively increasing our pool of writers and are currently assembling narrative groups.

As concept art is being particularly called out — we presently have 23 visual developers and have roles to fill for more artists.

All our efforts we do is additive and designed to having people spend more time on actual creation.

Any AI system applied correctly is supplementary to a developer's process, never a stand-in for their craft.

Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision

The revelation of employing this technology at first generated concern among portions of the fanbase. In response, Vincke provided further detail on public forums.

"Our team utilizes these tools to explore references, in the same way we use Google and physical media," he stated. "During the very early brainstorming phase we use it as a simple sketch for structure which we then swap out with original artwork."

He noted, "We've hired artists for their unique talent, not for their willingness to execute what a machine suggests."

Key Areas of AI Integration

Vincke had in the past detailed the studio's practical method to this technology, grouping its use into three main functions:

• Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like refining animations, voice editing, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
• Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to quickly build simple models of gameplay ideas to test concepts ahead of full development.
• Long-Term Aspirations: Researching how machine learning could eventually enhance innovative gameplay, particularly in simulating dynamic reactions in a detailed game universe.

He explicitly noted that key artistic areas — including music composition — are are absolutely not areas where the team is reducing artistic input. On the contrary, Larian is recruiting more in these very fields.

"Our studio is not launching a game with AI-generated content, nor looking at reducing staff to swap them out with artificial intelligence," Vincke summarized.