Larian Drops Generative AI for Divinity Concept Art Following Community Feedback
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Larian Studios has confirmed it will no longer use generative AI for Divinity concept art, pledging that any future AI tools used for in-game assets will be trained exclusively on data owned by the studio.
Larian Studios is drawing a firmer line on generative artificial intelligence, announcing that the controversial technology will no longer be used during the concept art phase for the next Divinity game. Addressing community concerns during a public AMA session, CEO Swen Vincke clarified that while the studio experimented with using AI tools to explore early visual ideas, the process created too much confusion and friction with players. To clear the air, Larian has decided to banish generative AI from concept development entirely, ensuring complete transparency regarding the origin of their visual assets.
At the same time, the studio is not completely closing the door on machine learning across other departments. Vincke and machine learning director Gabriel Bosque explained that any future use of generative models for in-game assets will rely strictly on proprietary data owned by Larian or generated with explicit consent from creators. For example, internal pipelines already utilize specialized models to clean and retarget motion capture performances for cinematics, using only studio-recorded reference material. The overarching goal is to speed up iteration times and refine gameplay ideas without stepping on copyright boundaries or alienating the player base.
For modern gamers navigating an industry increasingly experimenting with digital automation, Larian's nuanced approach strikes a pragmatic balance. Players and creators alike remain rightfully cautious about how training data is sourced and how automation impacts creative jobs. By committing to proprietary datasets and removing generative tools from high-profile visual pipelines like concept art, Larian is listening to its community while still searching for efficiency gains behind the scenes. You can read the original reporting over at Rock Paper Shotgun.
Tags: Larian Studios, Divinity, Generative AI, Game Development, PC Gaming
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun