Larian Studios, the company famous for its highly praised RPG *Baldur’s Gate 3*, has lately found itself at the center of controversy concerning its use of generative AI technology. The studio’s founder, Swen Vincke, released a statement to clarify their position in light of escalating worries and pushback from both the gaming community and within the studio.

The uproar began after a *Bloomberg* interview indicated that Larian was adopting generative AI, sparking fears among employees and fans that it could threaten the creative process or result in job reductions. Vincke quickly responded to these concerns, stating that the use of generative AI is intended to complement, not substitute, the skills of their creative team. He pointed out that AI is being used for functions such as crafting placeholder text, generating presentations, and exploring initial concept art—none of which would appear in their forthcoming title, *Divinity*.

Reactions on social media were varied, with numerous fans voicing their discontent. One Reddit user expressed, “Don’t mind me, currently living through my personal 9/11,” conveying a feeling of loss regarding the studio’s creativity approach. An artist who was once part of the *Baldur’s Gate 3* team urged the studio to rethink its course, advocating for respect for the abilities and creativity of their staff.

In a follow-up statement to *IGN*, Vincke elaborated on Larian’s strategy and their commitment to hiring additional creative talent. He emphasized the studio’s expansion in terms of personnel, mentioning they currently have 23 concept artists and are actively looking to hire more. Vincke reiterated that the purpose behind utilizing generative AI is to alleviate the routine tasks of artists, allowing them to concentrate on more imaginative work instead. He firmly declared that no AI-generated content would be featured in *Divinity*, and there are no intentions to downsize the team in favor of AI technology.

Vincke’s remarks addressed the wider concerns of generative AI in the gaming sector, recognizing the doubts surrounding its implementation. Critics have referred to AI tools as plagiarism machines, raising issues about their effect on artistic integrity and creativity. Former *Giant Bomb* host Jeff Gerstmann noted that Larian Studios had built goodwill with its community through openness and interaction during the development of *Baldur’s Gate 3*, questioning why the studio would jeopardize that trust by adopting potentially contentious technology like AI.

In reaction to ongoing criticism, Vincke took to social media to clarify misunderstandings regarding Larian’s utilization of AI. He strongly denied the accusations that the studio was aggressively pursuing AI integration or replacing human artists with technology. He emphasized that Larian hires human creatives for their specific talents, using AI simply as a tool to assist in the preliminary stages of idea development, similar to referencing Google or art books.

As Larian Studios continues to find the right balance between innovation and maintaining the artistic integrity of its games, the developing discussion on the role of generative AI in creative fields remains a key topic among developers and gamers alike. The company’s commitment to transparency with its audience and its resolve to uphold a robust workforce of creative professionals will be crucial as they adapt to an ever-changing technological environment.