When a company listens to its community and takes meaningful action, that's something worth celebrating. Larian Studios, the acclaimed Belgian developer behind the wildly successful Baldur's Gate 3, has made a decision that puts artists front and center: all concept art for their upcoming Divinity game will be created entirely by human hands.

CEO and co-founder Swen Vincke made this heartening commitment during a Reddit ask me anything session, clarifying earlier statements that had caused concern among the studio's passionate fanbase. Rather than doubling down or making excuses, Vincke took the refreshing approach of actually listening to player feedback and responding with concrete action.

"There is not going to be any generative AI art in Divinity," Vincke wrote, adding that the studio wanted to ensure "there can be no discussion about the origin of the art." This clear stance demonstrates something increasingly rare in the tech-focused world: a company willing to prioritize human creativity and craftsmanship over the latest trends.

The decision comes as wonderful news for concept artists everywhere, affirming that their skills, vision, and creativity remain irreplaceable. Larian Studios, which has already achieved remarkable success with Baldur's Gate 3 selling over 20 million copies, clearly understands that great games come from great human talent.

What makes this story even more inspiring is how Vincke approached the entire situation. After initial confusion about the studio's AI exploration, he didn't shy away from the conversation. Instead, he engaged directly with fans and made adjustments based on their concerns. This kind of responsive leadership sets a powerful example for the entire gaming industry.

The Bright Side

While Larian is stepping back from AI in concept art creation, they're taking a thoughtful, balanced approach to technology overall. The studio plans to continue exploring how AI might speed up internal processes and help teams iterate on ideas more quickly. The key difference? Any AI tools used for creative assets will be trained exclusively on Larian's own data, ensuring complete transparency and ethical practices.

Vincke explained that their goal is to "refine ideas faster, leading to a more focused development cycle, less waste, and ultimately, a higher-quality game." This approach shows that embracing certain technologies doesn't mean abandoning human creativity. It's about finding the right balance.

The studio's commitment to only using AI models trained on data they own, with full consent from creators, demonstrates a thoughtful path forward. It's possible to innovate while respecting artists' rights and maintaining the human touch that makes games truly special.

Following the recent announcement of a new Divinity entry at The Game Awards 2025, this news adds another reason for fans to feel excited. They can look forward to a game crafted with genuine human artistry, backed by a studio that values both its artists and its community. That's the kind of positive progress the gaming world needs more of.