Larian Studios revealed its upcoming game, Divinity, not long ago, and fans around the world quickly flooded the announcement with excitement. But that hype didn’t last long. A follow-up comment about the studio’s use of AI in the creative process — including concept art — soon sparked concern and cooled the community’s enthusiasm.
In a recent AMA, Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke addressed the backlash directly, confirming that the team will no longer use generative AI for concept art development in Divinity.
AI Axed for Divinity
That’s right — after waves of early backlash, Larian Studios is officially stepping away from AI-generated concept art for Divinity. For many fans, this feels like the right move. Ever since the studio’s meteoric rise following Baldur’s Gate 3, expectations around Larian’s creative integrity have been sky-high. The initial decision to use AI in the creative pipeline left thousands of fans feeling disappointed, and in some cases, betrayed.
However, Larian hasn’t completely removed AI from its workflow. The studio has clarified that it will still use AI in other departments to “improve the speed with which we can try things out.” Any such use, however, will be built strictly on data the company owns.
Vincke also reassured fans with a firm stance on creative integrity, stating: “We will not generate ‘creative assets’ that end up in a game without being 100% sure about the origins of the training data.”
The Impact of AI
In the modern era of game development, AI remains one of the most divisive topics between developers and players. While the industry continues to push for broader AI adoption, many gamers remain wary — and for good reason. The biggest concern, above all else, is that AI risks stripping away the creative heart and soul of art.
When a project isn’t shaped by human hands, it can affect not only the experience itself but also how players perceive the final product. Games are more than code and assets — they’re expressions of creativity, passion, and identity.
That doesn’t mean AI has no place. How developers use it makes all the difference. AI that replaces artists or relies on stolen data will always feel harmful, but there’s room for tools that assist with tedious, behind-the-scenes work. Most fans seem to agree on one thing: AI shouldn’t create the art, but it can support the process.
So what do you think? Is this a fair compromise, or do you still worry that AI’s presence will affect the soul of Divinity?
For more news and updates, keep an eye on our Other Games section.
