Larian Studios has been under the spotlight this week with the announcement of their new RPG, Divinity. However, the buzz has turned to controversy, particularly regarding their stance on using AI in game development after an interview with Bloomberg.
CEO Swen Vincke took to Twitter to address the confusion, stating, “It’s been a week since we announced Divinity, and a lot has been lost in translation.” He emphasized that Larian’s focus is on empowering their teams to create the best games possible.
Vincke mentioned that while they are exploring new technologies, they will stay true to their core values. “It would be irresponsible not to evaluate new technologies,” he noted. However, he assured fans that anything not aligned with their vision would be adjusted or discarded.
To clarify further, Larian plans to hold an AMA (Ask Me Anything) session after the holidays. Members from different departments will join Vincke to answer questions directly about Divinity and their development process. The date will be announced early in the new year.
In the Bloomberg interview, Vincke revealed that Larian is using generative AI for tasks like creating placeholder text and generating concept art, but promised that all final work will be done by human artists. He stressed, “Everything is human actors; we’re writing everything ourselves.”
The reaction from fans and fellow developers has been mixed. While some are supportive of innovation, others fear that AI could replace traditional roles. Vincke responded to the backlash, asserting that they are not looking to replace artists with AI and are actually expanding their team of creative professionals.
Industry experts see AI as a tool that can streamline certain aspects of game development, but caution against over-reliance. A recent report by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) found that about 37% of developers are already using AI, primarily for testing and bug fixing.
As Larian moves forward with Divinity, the conversation around AI in gaming continues to evolve. Many are watching closely to see how the studio balances innovation with artistic integrity. The AMA promises to shed more light on their processes and reassure fans about the future of their beloved RPGs.
Source link
