AI has been a contentious subject within the gaming industry. It has even made its presence felt in Dungeons & Dragons, the foundation upon which Baldur’s Gate 3 was constructed. This issue gained further attention following recent remarks by Hasbro’s CEO regarding the “utilization” of its past endeavors. Swen Vincke, the founder and CEO of Larian Studios, adopts a more pragmatic stance towards the application of this technology.
In a recent interview with IGN at GDC, Vincke expressed his straightforward perspective on AI: “It is a tool that we use to expedite our processes. We welcome assistance from any source due to the volume of work we have.” However, he is quick to point out, “I firmly believe that AI will never supplant the creative aspect, and I am willing to back that assertion with action.”
Vincke envisions a future where AI is utilized effectively, albeit not in the manner adopted by certain companies like Ubisoft, who have introduced unremarkable “Neo NPCs” that appear to threaten the roles of narrative designers and artists. This trend has sparked debates within the technical community.
There seems to be a growing enthusiasm among high-level executives for reducing the reliance on musicians, writers, and creatives. The allure of acquiring an algorithm to “generate endless content” raises questions about the necessity of human creators. It is essential to distinguish between ‘content creation’ and crafting a narrative that resonates with audiences, a point often overlooked.
Moreover, the notion of an endlessly playable game driven by algorithms appears misguided. Human-made content tends to resonate more with players than content produced through a generic filter. Vincke concurs, emphasizing the importance of human touch in creative endeavors.
Addressing production challenges, Vincke advocates for hiring additional personnel to alleviate bottlenecks, a seemingly straightforward solution that involves complexities often disregarded by large corporations and financial entities. This approach contrasts with the impersonal nature of relying solely on AI.
While Larian Studios opts to employ writers for dialogues instead of automated tools like ChatGPT, Vincke acknowledges the potential of generative AI in enhancing content creation. He envisions a collaborative process where AI complements human creativity seamlessly, remaining imperceptible to users.
This approach, emphasizing procedural arrangement over full procedural generation, empowers authors and artists to leverage AI tools at their discretion rather than being dictated by external forces. It mirrors the utilization of pre-machine learning “AI” in games, such as the director in Left 4 Dead or procedurally generated roguelikes.
In conclusion, Larian Studios’ forward-looking approach instills confidence in their future endeavors, standing out amidst a landscape cluttered with superficial NPCs and shallow game worlds. This approach, guided by a balance between human ingenuity and AI augmentation, offers a promising direction for the industry post the initial AI hype phase, transitioning from a dystopian narrative to a clichéd marketing buzzword.
