Larian details new Divinity: turn-based RPG, custom engine, and AI in dev

Following its reveal at The Game Awards 2025, Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke has shared more on the studio's next Divinity game—described as 'us unleashed.' The turn-based RPG ditches a D&D collaboration for a custom engine enabling advanced narratives, plans early access, and uses generative AI only for brainstorming while keeping storytelling human-crafted.

Larian Studios expanded on its surprise The Game Awards announcement of a new Divinity title, with CEO Swen Vincke calling it "us unleashed" in a bold evolution post-Baldur's Gate 3.

The game is a turn-based RPG, shifting from an earlier Dungeons & Dragons pitch with Wizards of the Coast that lacked full team passion. Instead, Larian refocused on its Divinity roots, planning early access for player-driven refinements, though no timeline is set.

A new bespoke engine supports sophisticated cinematic storytelling and branching narratives tailored for digital play, avoiding tabletop adaptation issues.

Generative AI aids brainstorming and concept art but not core development, Vincke clarified in a Bloomberg interview: "Everything is human actors; we’re writing everything ourselves." AI hasn't sped up production but expands creativity. The studio is also adapting its structure for parallel quest development amid expansion.

Tying into the franchise, Larian released current-gen upgrades for Divinity: Original Sin 2 on Switch 2, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.

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Illustration of Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke defending AI use in Divinity development amid fan backlash protests.
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Larian Studios faces backlash over AI use in Divinity development

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Larian Studios has confirmed using generative AI tools in early development stages for its upcoming Divinity game, sparking significant backlash from fans and former employees. CEO Swen Vincke insists the technology is additive and will not appear in the final product, emphasizing human creativity. The controversy follows the massive success of Baldur's Gate 3 and the recent announcement of the new turn-based RPG at The Game Awards.

Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke, in a January 10, 2026 Reddit AMA, reaffirmed the studio's decision to halt generative AI use in concept art for its upcoming Divinity game amid fan backlash—previously covered in early reports—and shared extensive new details on the title's setting, features, and development.

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Building on last week's reveal at The Game Awards 2025, Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke elaborated on the studio's ambitious new project titled Divinity, describing it as their most expansive RPG to date amid ongoing excitement from the cinematic trailer and pre-event rumors.

Trademarks for the Divinity franchise have surfaced in Europe, fueling speculation about a potential announcement at The Game Awards linked to a mysterious statue. Larian Studios quickly addressed the buzz, confirming no plans for Divinity: Original Sin 3. A leak instead points to a PS5 Definitive Edition of Divinity: Original Sin 2.

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During a Reddit AMA on January 9, 2026, Larian Studios expressed interest in bringing its upcoming game Divinity to Nintendo's Switch 2, while explaining why Baldur's Gate 3 won't appear on the platform. The session also addressed the studio's evolving stance on generative AI amid recent backlash. Technical director Bert emphasized Larian's affection for Nintendo hardware.

Following last week's revocation of its Indie Game of the Year award over AI use, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sold over five million copies in 2025 amid heated industry discussions on AI's role in game development, disclosure rules, and award criteria.

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Activision is branching out from Call of Duty with a new open-world role-playing game developed by its recently formed studio, Elsewhere Entertainment. Rumors also suggest involvement from Sledgehammer Games, known for the franchise's shooters. This move comes amid declining sales for the series' latest entries.

 

 

 

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