D&D Veteran Defends Larian, Urges Fans to Go Easy on Hard-Working Developers

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Expedition 33 Facing Backlash For AI Use As Well!

Story Highlight
  • Larian CEO revealed they were using gen AI for Divinity’s artwork and some text.
  • The comment received huge backlash as fans accused them of leaning towards AI slop.
  • A former D&D vet has defended them, urging fans to go easy on the developers.

The use of generative AI in game development has been the hottest topic of debate in the industry for the past few weeks. As more studios adopt the technology, fans have been calling them out for becoming lazy and less creative. 

The biggest controversy has been around Larian, which said it would be using gen AI for its upcoming turn-based game, Divinity. Now, a D&D veteran has defended the studio and asked fans to go easy on developers. 

Why it matters: Using AI in some instances has now become a norm in development. Some people believe it’s completely fine, while others have a very extreme take and oppose it very harshly. 

Larian AI
D&D Veteran shields Larian from online backlash for gen AI comments

One of the legendary D&D veterans, Robert Kuntz, has shielded Larian Studios from the hate, urging fans to go easy on the hard-working developers. It is disappointing to see Swen Vincke being treated that that by the community.

Kuntz said that the RPG community he helped build and nurture in the 1970s used to be a lot more appreciative of the craft they made. He said people back then were more civil and didn’t go after studios like this. 

The studio confirmed it would be using the tech just for artwork and as a placeholder

The hate doesn’t make much sense either, as Larian confirmed that Divinity won’t be using gen AI for development. They were using it for just some artwork and placeholder text that would be replaced in the game. 

The Game of the Year, Expedition 33, is also going through a similar backlash, as it didn’t disclose the use of AI in its development, although the generated assets were later patched out with custom-designed ones. 

What are your thoughts on the D&D veteran calling out fans for the hate towards Larian? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.

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