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Reviewed and published by trentmaziarz, March 20, 2026. Discovered and drafted by our automated research pipeline.

Larian's artists experimented with generative AI tools to explore rough visual ideas at the very earliest stage of concept art development — similar to how a designer might flip through reference books. After significant backlash from fans and former employees in December 2025, the studio formally banned generative AI from all concept art work in January 2026.

Details

According to a December 2025 Bloomberg interview, developers used generative AI to create early-stage visual references and rough compositions that human artists then replaced with original artwork. Art Director Alena Dubrovina clarified that Larian never intended to use AI to make final game assets, models, or base meshes. Following community outcry — including public statements from former Larian artists — CEO Swen Vincke announced at a January 2026 Reddit AMA that the studio had decided to stop using generative AI during concept art development entirely, so there could be "no discussion about the origin of the art."

Products affected

Divinity (upcoming)

Sources & Evidence

News Article

Larian says "there is not going to be any gen-AI art in Divinity," and it's even booted it out of the concept art stage after backlash

https://www.pcgamesn.com/divinity/ama-gen-ai-tools-larian-studios

Larian Studios Draws Harder Line On AI, Clarifies Stance In Reddit AMA

GameSpot·Jan 2026

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/larian-studios-draws-harder-line-on-ai-clarifies-stance-in-reddit-ama/1100-6537296/

Baldur’s Gate 3 Maker Says Next RPG Could Have Gen AI Assets As Long As They’re Created With ‘Data We Own’

Kotaku·Jan 2026

https://kotaku.com/divinity-gen-ai-larian-bg3-reddit-ama-2000658429

Larian Studios Leaning Into Generative AI Despite Internal Pushback: ‘Everyone At The Company Is More Or Less OK With The Way We’re Using It’ [Update]

Kotaku·Dec 2025

https://kotaku.com/larian-studios-gen-ai-divinity-bg3-2000653850

Baldur's Gate 3 developer Larian defends itself as fans react to generative AI use: 'I'm not entirely sure we are the ideal target for the level of scorn'

PC Gamer·Dec 2025

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/baldurs-gate-3-developer-larian-defends-itself-as-fans-react-to-generative-ai-use-im-not-entirely-sure-we-are-the-ideal-target-for-the-level-of-scorn/

Other practices by Larian Studios

Creative GenLarian uses machine learning models to clean up and adapt motion capture data from human actors so it can be applied to game characters of wildly different body shapes — like a tiny halfling or a towering dragonborn. These models are trained only on data Larian owns, and their output appears in shipped games.Creative GenA small group at Larian Studios tested generative AI text generation tools for research purposes during early development of Divinity, the studio's next RPG. Writing Director Adam Smith stated at a January 9, 2026 Reddit AMA that the tools scored '3/10 at best' and that no AI-generated text touches dialogue, journal entries, or any other written content in Divinity.Creative GenLarian Studios announced in January 2026 that its performer contracts explicitly prohibit using voice actor recordings to train or build AI voice models. Machine Learning Director Gabriel Bosque confirmed this commitment at a Reddit AMA held January 9, 2026, and added that the studio does not currently feel comfortable including AI-generated voices in its games, even if an actor were to consent.

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