Larian Studios’ CEO Swen Vincke has pushed back strongly against public concerns that the developer is using generative AI to replace staff or to include AI-driven systems in its next Divinity project, saying the studio is not “releasing a game with any AI components” nor planning to “trim down teams to replace them with AI.”

Response to backlash

The statement follows a wave of criticism and online debate after Larian’s recent communications and hiring posts were interpreted by some as signalling a broader embrace of generative artificial intelligence in the company’s production pipeline. Vincke’s message aimed to clarify the studio’s stance: Larian will not ship the upcoming Divinity entry with AI systems integrated into the final product, and it has no intention of substituting human developers with AI tools as a cost-cutting measure.

What Larian actually said

According to the studio’s public remarks, which circulated widely across social platforms and gaming news outlets, Vincke emphasized two core points: that the game itself will not contain AI components, and that workforce reductions in favor of AI are not part of the studio’s plans. The CEO framed these reassurances as a response to fears among fans and developers about the potential for generative AI to undermine creative labor in game development.

Context: Why the controversy flared

The controversy stems from a broader industry debate over the use of generative AI tools such as large language models and image synthesis in creative production. In recent months, numerous studios and content creators have experimented with AI for tasks ranging from rapid prototyping and asset generation to automated testing and localization. That experimentation has prompted concerns from employees and creators who worry about job security, copyright, and creative control.

At Larian, some community members read hints in job listings and public commentary as suggesting the company might integrate AI tools more deeply into its pipeline—sparking online discussion and criticism that culminated in Vincke’s clarifying statement.

How studios are using AI — and where Larian draws the line

Across the industry, developers have described a spectrum of AI use-cases: from benign automation of repetitive tasks (for example, converting placeholder text or generating variant asset iterations) to more contentious uses such as generating dialogue, art, or code that could replace creative roles. Larian’s public position as described by Vincke distinguishes between internal tooling and final-game systems: while many studios may use AI-assisted tools during development, Larian insists this will not result in AI-driven features shipped in the playable product nor in mass displacement of staff.

Community reaction

Reactions among fans and industry watchers were mixed. Some welcomed the clarification and expressed relief that Larian intends to preserve human-driven design and writing for its next Divinity game. Others remained skeptical, saying that assurances about not shipping AI components do not fully address concerns about how AI might be used behind the scenes—particularly in areas like asset creation or QA that can be invisible to players but still affect workflows and jobs.

Expert and industry perspective

Analysts and developers note that transparency is now a key expectation when companies experiment with AI. Clear communication about which tasks, if any, are assisted by AI — and how that assistance affects labor, credit, and copyright — helps reduce mistrust. Larian’s direct denial that it will replace staff with AI tools is meant to meet that expectation, but observers say follow-through and ongoing transparency will determine whether the studio regains full community confidence.

What this means for the upcoming Divinity game

For players, Vincke’s statement aims to reaffirm that the upcoming Divinity experience will be authored by human designers, writers, and artists—preserving the studio’s signature approach to narrative-driven role-playing. For staff and prospective hires, the CEO’s comments attempt to reassure about job stability and the company’s creative priorities.

Looking ahead

As the game industry grapples with rapid changes in AI capability, Larian’s stance underscores a pragmatic approach: acknowledging the existence and potential usefulness of AI tools while drawing a firm line around final-game content and workforce decisions. Whether other studios follow a similar path or choose different balances between AI assistance and human authorship will continue to shape debates about the future of game development.