“AI Is Here to Stay”: Kingdom Come Director Defends Larian After Backlash

Daniel Vávra, co-founder of Warhorse Studios and director of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, has shared his opinion on generative AI after online backlash toward Larian Studios.

The discussion started after Larian revealed a new Divinity game at The Game Awards. CEO Swen Vincke later confirmed that the studio uses generative AI in early development.

Vincke explained that AI is used “to explore ideas, flesh out PowerPoint presentations, develop concept art and write placeholder text”. He also said no AI-made content would appear in the final game, and that “everyone at the company is more or less OK with the way we’re using it”.

Some players criticized this, saying that even early AI use replaces human creativity. Vincke responded strongly online, saying:
“holy **** guys we’re not ‘pushing hard’ for or replacing concept artists with AI online”
He added: “We use AI tools to explore references, just like we use Google and art books… There is no comparison.”

Vávra later defended Larian on X, saying that many studios already use AI in similar ways.

“This AI hysteria is the same as when people were smashing steam engines in the 19th century,” Vávra wrote.
“Larian said they were doing something that absolutely everyone else is doing and got an insanely crazy shitstorm.”

He said he is not a fan of AI-generated art, but believes people must accept reality:
“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.”

Vávra also said AI could help reduce long development times and boring tasks.
“If AI can help me make an epic game in a year with a smaller team like in the old days, I’m all for it.”

He added that AI could be useful for non-story dialogue, while important scenes should still use real actors.
“You don’t need an Oscar-level performance when ordering a sausage in a pub or when asking how to get to the castle.”

Vávra ended by saying AI use in games cannot be stopped and will change the industry forever.
“Either way, there’s no stopping it.”

Read more at: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/its-time-to-face-reality-ai-is-here-to-stay-kingdom-come-deliverance-studio-head-responds-to-larian-backlash/