‘Kingdom Come: Deliverance’ boss defends ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’ team over AI backlash
“It’s time to face reality, AI is here to stay”
by Ali Shutler · NMEDaniel Vávra, the head of Warhorse Studios, has weighed in on the debate about the use of AI in game development.
Yesterday, Larian Studios boss Sven Vincke admitted they were using generative AI to “explore ideas, flesh out PowerPoint presentations, develop concept art and write placeholder text,” for their ambitious Baldur’s Gate 3 follow-up Divinity.
“At the very early ideation stages we use it as a rough outline for composition which we replace with original concept art,” he added, comparing it to using art books or Google for inspiration.
However, the news was met with a lot of backlash from fans. “Are you aware that there are no ethical AI image gens and they plagiarise by default,” wrote one fan with others threatening to boycott Divinity completely
Daniel Vávra, the director of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, shared a lengthy post on X defending Larian and dismissing the hate as “hysteria”.
“I’m no fan of AI generated art, but anyway, it’s time to face reality. AI is here to stay with us. As frightening as it may be, that’s the way it is,” he started before accusing “absolutely everyone else” of using generative AI.
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Vávra claimed that even with AI, studios will still need art directors, writers, programmers and graphic designers “but they won’t have to do the tiresome and boring tasks, they’ll have to focus on the essentials.” However programmers are at risk of being replaced by AI. “Resisting this is probably as meaningful as resisting the use of sewing machines in the textile industry. Or going back to riding on horses while we could use planes and cars. How many horse breeders lost their jobs thanks to Henry Ford!?”
“The whole AI revolution may mean the demise of humanity but it may also mean that ANYONE, at a fraction of the current cost, will be able to implement virtually any grand idea,” he continued. “Making a game will be as easy as writing a book. There will be more games. We’ll see the return of niche genres. Some games will be better. Maybe just a few. There will also be a lot of trash, but who cares? Either way, there’s no stopping it.”
He also confirmed that despite rumours, AI wasn’t used in the creation of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
In other news, Fallout boss Todd Howard has said the long-awaited Fallout 5 will be influenced by the hit Amazon Prime Video adaptation.