Larian CEO Swen Vincke responds to backlash against AI use while making its new RPG Divinity — “It would be irresponsible for us not to evaluate new technologies”

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A bit of a debate started this week after it came out that Larian Studios, the team behind the popular RPG Baldur’s Gate 3, is exploring ideas for their next turn-based RPG, Divinity, using artificial intelligence.

The confusion started after a Bloomberg interview with Swen Vincke, the CEO of Larian Studios, seemed to indicate the company was heavily investing in generative AI. However, Vincke and Larian’s publishing director, Michael Douse, quickly clarified that they aren’t actively ‘pushing’ AI technology. Instead, they’re simply offering it as an optional tool for developers who might want to create reference images for the studio’s concept artists. They also emphasized that no AI-generated content will appear in the Divinity game itself.

The debate over Larian’s use of AI continues, with many criticizing how it gathers images. Some argue that using AI to scan the internet for visual ideas is unfair compared to a concept artist’s traditional research methods, like browsing Google or art books. This controversy hasn’t faded, and numerous people in the gaming community – including developers like Daniel Vávra, the director of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – have shared their diverse thoughts on this situation and the broader use of AI in game development.

Vincke has spoken out again, offering a detailed explanation of Larian’s stance on the recent issues – this is his first response since the initial controversy. He also announced that the studio will be hosting a question-and-answer session with fans soon. You can find his full statement below.

Larian Studios will be hosting an “Ask Me Anything” session where fans can ask questions directly to various teams about “Divinity” and how the game was developed. They haven’t announced a date yet, but it will happen after the holidays, and the specific date will be revealed early next year.

It’s been a week since we revealed Divinity, our next role-playing game, and some of our key messages haven’t come across clearly. At Larian, we prioritize giving our teams, our games, and our players more control and freedom. We believe this leads to better working conditions and, ultimately, a better game experience. Our achievements are built on empowering everyone involved…December 18, 2025

We’ve noticed some confusion since announcing our new RPG, Divinity. As Larian Studios, we believe in giving our team – and ultimately our players – the freedom to create the best possible games. We focus on empowering everyone to work in a way that suits them, which leads to better games and a more positive work environment. That’s how we’ve achieved success – by letting people use their skills and creativity to make truly exceptional RPGs.

He explained that, considering everything, Larian shouldn’t dismiss exploring new technologies. However, he also emphasized that the studio is willing to abandon those technologies if they don’t work well, indicating they’re open to not using AI if necessary.

Given the current situation, we have a duty to explore new technologies,” he explained. “We’re constantly improving how we work, and if any of our processes aren’t effective or don’t reflect our values, we’ll update them.

Vincke announced that after the holidays, they’ll host a “Ask Me Anything” session with representatives from different teams. This will be a chance for you to ask any questions you have about the game, Divinity, and how it’s made. They’ll share the date for the AMA in January, and wish everyone happy holidays.

It’s positive that Vincke and Larian Studios are continuing to discuss this with players, which isn’t unexpected considering their strong reputation. While I strongly dislike AI-generated art and hope they stop using it, we’ll have to wait and see what they decide.

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2025-12-18 23:10