Following multiple days of criticism from fans and fellow game developers over the studio’s use of generative AI, Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity maker Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke has announced an AMA (Ask Me Anything, typically on Reddit) in the new year, inviting people to ask members of different Larian departments “any questions you have about Divinity and our dev process directly.”
In a post to Twitter/X, Vincke said that since the announcement of the studio’s next game, Divinity, at The Game Awards last week, “a lot has become lost in translation.” He continued, saying that “Larian’s DNA is agency” and said it would be irresponsible of the studio not to “evaluate new technologies,” presumably referring to the generative AI discussion that started the controversy. But he also appeared to backpedal somewhat on the idea, adding that “our processes are always evolving, and where they are not efficient or fail to align with who we are, we will make changes.”
Vincke’s full statement is below:
It’s been a week since we announced Divinity, our next RPG, and a lot has become lost in translation.
Larian’s DNA is agency. Everything we work towards is to the benefit of our teams, games, and players. A better work day, and a better game. Our successes come from empowering people to work in their own way and bring the best out of their skill & craft, so that we can make the best RPGs we can possibly make.
In that context, it would be irresponsible for us not to evaluate new technologies. However, our processes are always evolving, and where they are not efficient or fail to align with who we are, we will make changes.
To give you more insight, we’ll do an AMA featuring our different departments after the holiday break, in which you’ll get the opportunity to ask us any questions you have about Divinity and our dev process directly.
We’ll announce the date in the new year. In the meantime, I wish you all happy holidays!
Vincke’s statement comes in response to criticism of his own remarks in interviews following the announcement of a new Divinity last week. In a Bloomberg interview, Vincke admitted that Larian has been pushing generative AI internally, even though it hasn’t led to gains in efficiency or speed. Some examples given included using the technology for brainstorming, PowerPoint presentations, pitching concept art, and writing placeholder text.
In response, a number of players across various social platforms, as well as game developers and even former Larian employees criticized the studio, arguing that the listed uses for generative AI at Larian either seemed like things that didn’t benefit from generative AI at all (such as placeholder text), or alternatively were key parts of the artistic process and would suffer from not having humans at the helm throughout (concept art).
Vincke then responded with multiple statements, one given to us, and another posted on Twitter/X, where he claimed that critics were misunderstanding what Larian was doing and that “We are neither releasing a game with any AI components, nor are we looking at trimming down teams to replace them with AI.”
We also had our own interview with Vincke about Divinity, which you can read in full here.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to [email protected].
