Larian Studios, the celebrated developer behind the Divinity and Baldur's Gate series, has taken significant steps in leveraging generative AI for early-stage game planning processes.
In a revealing interview with Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke offered new insights into the company’s evolving workflow and the role of artificial intelligence as the team embarks on the next chapter of the Divinity franchise.
The franchise, which has been acclaimed for its narrative depth and strategic gameplay, saw its last main entry, Divinity: Original Sin, released nearly a decade ago, making the recent announcement of a new Divinity game one of the most anticipated developments at the latest Game Awards. Discussing the integration of generative AI, Swen Vincke shared that, "our use of AI is focused strictly on the planning phase, supporting concept art generation, PowerPoint presentations, and placeholder content." He emphasized that the creative core remains with the studio’s team, stating, "all dialogue, story writing, and character development are done by human writers—AI acts solely as a supplementary tool at this stage." According to Vincke, while there was initial hesitation among staff regarding generative AI, consensus was eventually reached on its responsible usage within Larian Studios.
"After discussing its applications, there’s general agreement about our current methods," Vincke explained. Interestingly, Vincke disclosed that the introduction of AI tools has not led to substantial productivity gains within the development workflow.
Instead, he stressed that these technologies are used primarily for brainstorming and exploring new concepts, rather than delivering finalized creative content.
"We have not seen a significant jump in efficiency, but AI helps the team visualize and fine-tune new ideas before major production begins," Vincke noted, reaffirming the studio’s commitment to human-driven storytelling. This approach from Larian Studios positions the company at a careful intersection between technological innovation and creative authenticity.
The developer’s transparent communication about AI usage comes at a time when the gaming industry faces broader conversations about the ethical and artistic implications of generative technology in creative fields.
With the upcoming Divinity game poised to attract both longtime series fans and new players, including those on platforms like Nintendo Switch, Larian’s stance on creative ownership is clear. As excitement continues to build for the new Divinity title—which recently had its world-premiere trailer revealed at the Game Awards—Larian Studios remains focused on innovation while ensuring that the heart of its games is guided by passionate human creators.
The studio’s previously released Divinity: Original Sin 2 also recently received a next-gen update, including support for the anticipated Switch 2 platform, further demonstrating Larian’s commitment to expanding their reach and maintaining technical relevance. With no confirmed release date yet announced, fans are encouraged to follow Larian Studios through official channels and the Nintendo eShop for further updates on the Divinity series and other upcoming projects.
In a revealing interview with Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke offered new insights into the company’s evolving workflow and the role of artificial intelligence as the team embarks on the next chapter of the Divinity franchise.
The franchise, which has been acclaimed for its narrative depth and strategic gameplay, saw its last main entry, Divinity: Original Sin, released nearly a decade ago, making the recent announcement of a new Divinity game one of the most anticipated developments at the latest Game Awards. Discussing the integration of generative AI, Swen Vincke shared that, "our use of AI is focused strictly on the planning phase, supporting concept art generation, PowerPoint presentations, and placeholder content." He emphasized that the creative core remains with the studio’s team, stating, "all dialogue, story writing, and character development are done by human writers—AI acts solely as a supplementary tool at this stage." According to Vincke, while there was initial hesitation among staff regarding generative AI, consensus was eventually reached on its responsible usage within Larian Studios.
"After discussing its applications, there’s general agreement about our current methods," Vincke explained. Interestingly, Vincke disclosed that the introduction of AI tools has not led to substantial productivity gains within the development workflow.
Instead, he stressed that these technologies are used primarily for brainstorming and exploring new concepts, rather than delivering finalized creative content.
"We have not seen a significant jump in efficiency, but AI helps the team visualize and fine-tune new ideas before major production begins," Vincke noted, reaffirming the studio’s commitment to human-driven storytelling. This approach from Larian Studios positions the company at a careful intersection between technological innovation and creative authenticity.
The developer’s transparent communication about AI usage comes at a time when the gaming industry faces broader conversations about the ethical and artistic implications of generative technology in creative fields.
With the upcoming Divinity game poised to attract both longtime series fans and new players, including those on platforms like Nintendo Switch, Larian’s stance on creative ownership is clear. As excitement continues to build for the new Divinity title—which recently had its world-premiere trailer revealed at the Game Awards—Larian Studios remains focused on innovation while ensuring that the heart of its games is guided by passionate human creators.
The studio’s previously released Divinity: Original Sin 2 also recently received a next-gen update, including support for the anticipated Switch 2 platform, further demonstrating Larian’s commitment to expanding their reach and maintaining technical relevance. With no confirmed release date yet announced, fans are encouraged to follow Larian Studios through official channels and the Nintendo eShop for further updates on the Divinity series and other upcoming projects.
