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Larian Faces Fan Backlash Over Generative AI—Promises To Clear the Air on Divinity’s Development
December 21, 2025Larian Studios found itself at the centre of controversy this week after fans learned the studio used generative AI internally, prompting CEO Swen Vincke to step in and set the record straight, and promise a no-holds-barred AMA in the new year.
The uproar kicked off after Vincke told Bloomberg that Larian had experimented with generative AI. In the fallout, questions started swirling about how much AI would be involved in the upcoming Divinity game. Fans worried the beloved RPG series might give way to machine-made content or replace artists with algorithms.
Vincke came out swinging on social media. “Holy **** guys, we’re not ‘pushing hard’ for or replacing concept artists with AI,” he wrote. Larian’s approach, he emphasised, is to hire developers for their talent, not their ability to do what a machine suggests. In his words, AI tools are there to “explore references,” not to churn out finished content or elbow artists aside.
“A Lot Has Become Lost in Translation”
Despite Vincke’s statements, fans kept pressing for clarity. That led him to issue a more detailed message on social platforms. “It’s been a week since we announced Divinity, our next RPG, and a lot has become lost in translation,” he admitted. The message doubled down on what Vincke calls the “DNA” at Larian: agency. Every decision, he said, starts with making things better for the team, the players, and the end product.
“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,” Vincke wrote. For him, it makes sense to assess new technologies as they emerge. But he made it clear that being open to innovation doesn’t mean giving up what makes the studio unique.
“Where [new tools] are not efficient or fail to align with who we are, we will make changes,” he promised. And for fans caught in the confusion? Vincke announced Larian will host a full Ask Me Anything after the holiday break. Every department, including developers working directly on Divinity, will field player questions on the dev process and the use of AI. The date is coming in the new year.
The Road Ahead for Divinity
The tension comes after Larian’s knockout success with Baldur’s Gate 3, one of the most celebrated RPG releases in years. Last week at The Game Awards, the studio dropped the long-awaited news: a new Divinity game is on the way. Vincke teased that this will be “us unleashed,” and yes, fans can expect another turn-based RPG at the core.
The reveal should have been a victory lap. Instead, debate over generative AI threatened to overshadow the announcement. For a studio known for crafting games with meticulous care and for empowering its teams, the controversy struck a nerve.
Vincke expressed hope that the AMA would clear up misunderstandings and allow the team to get back to what matters: building a game true to the studio’s reputation. In the meantime, he wished fans a happy holiday break, promising more details in the new year.
The only certainty, for now, is that Larian won’t let its vision or its creative people be replaced by algorithms. As Vincke said, Larian’s focus is on maximising human agency. For RPG fans watching closely, the upcoming AMA might just reveal whether the team can strike the right balance as they prep their next ambitious project.
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