A lot of things have become lost in translation,” Larian boss Swen Vincke says following generative AI backlash – promises a Divinity AMA in the new year “to give you more insight

Larian is set to host an AMA in the new year to follow-up on its use of generative AI, following a huge backlash earlier this week.

In a statement shared on social media, Larian CEO Swen Vincke stated it would be “irresponsible for us not to evaluate new technologies” and the company’s successes “come from empowering people to work in their own way”.

It follows backlash against the company after Vincke told Bloomberg the studio is using generative AI, but its newly-revealed Divinity game won’t include anything AI-generated.

“Holy **** guys we’re not ‘pushing hard’ for or replacing concept artists with AI,” Vincke responded on social media.

Instead, the studio uses “AI tools to explore references”, and its developers are hired for “their talent” and “not for their ability to do what a machine suggests”.

Still, the debate around using generative AI has erupted in the wake of Vincke’s statements, so much so the company will now provide an opportunity for fans to ask further questions in the new year.

“It’s been a week since we announced Divinity, our next RPG, and a lot has become lost in translation,” wrote Vincke last night on social media.

“Larian’s DNA is agency. Everything we work towards is to the benefit of our teams, games, and players. A better work day, and a better game. Our successes come from empowering people to work in their own way and bring the best out of their skill and craft, so that we can make the best RPGs we can possibly make.

“In that context, it would be irresponsible for us not to evaluate new technologies. However, our processes are always evolving, and where they are not efficient or fail to align with who we are, we will make changes.

“To give you more insight, we’ll do an AMA featuring our different departments after the holiday break, in which you’ll get the opportunity to ask us any questions you have about Divinity and our dev process directly.

“We’ll announce the date in the new year. In the meantime, I wish you all happy holidays!”

Larian revealed Divinity at last week’s The Game Awards, which will follow the phenomenal success of Baldur’s Gate 3. Vincke has since declared Divinity will be “us unleashed” and confirmed it will be a turn-based RPG.