Larian's CEO Clarifies Studio's AI Strategy

Swen Vincke is addressing recent concerns regarding Larian's application of AI tools in their development process following a publicized interview.

Bloomberg's coverage of Swen Vincke, the CEO of Larian, caused a stir by stating that the studio employs AI tools for generating concept art and placeholder text for games. This report led to some public criticism, prompting Vincke to clarify that there are no plans to release a game featuring AI technology, nor does the studio intend to downsize their teams in favor of AI efficiencies. He shared his clarifications on X and with IGN.

Larian's Recent Announcements

At the recent Game Awards, Larian revealed a teaser trailer for Divinity that kept information about the actual game under wraps. The controversy regarding AI use arose amidst the excitement of these announcements.

AI Tools in Game Development

Vincke shared that while Larian does harness generative AI for tasks like conceptual brainstorming and creating presentations, it does not translate into substantial resource savings. The process relies on human talent, with the company's creative endeavors attributed to actual artists and writers.

Though there have been some internal discussions about AI's role, Vincke mentioned that employees are largely accepting of the current approach. His statement clarified that the integration of AI tools supplements creative work rather than replaces it.

Community and Industry Reactions

Vincke's comments have sparked dialogue within and outside Larian. Former employee Selena Tobin expressed disappointment regarding AI’s integration, highlighting a divergence of opinions. Nonetheless, Vincke maintained that Larian is invested in growing its creative workforce and collaborating closely with skilled professionals.

Larian is actively increasing their number of creatives, ensuring their team focuses on substantial artistic roles such as developing novel concepts, scripting, and performing. Currently, they have multiple concept artists and aim to expand their team further.

Clarifying Intentions

In an assertive response to the ongoing debate, Vincke stated that they are not reducing personnel through AI; instead, they are enhancing the team with additional creative minds. He emphasized that the use of any machine learning tools is purely to augment human creativity and efficiency, not to substitute it.

He highlighted that some practices merely involve using AI tools at preliminary stages for a basic outline, similar to how resources like Google might be utilized for gathering inspiration. Ultimately, the primary creative output remains the product of expert human artists.

Future Prospects

Despite the emotional weight surrounding AI discussions, Vincke reiterated the studio's commitment to improving every team member's work environment. The focus stays on cultivating an innovative space where AI serves as an aid and not a replacement. He concluded, underscoring their recruitment strategy focused on talent over dependence on AI's suggestions.