Larian Studios Responds to AI Panic as D&D Veteran Calls for Calm

The internet never misses a chance to set itself on fire, and this week’s bonfire is aimed squarely at Larian Studios. After comments about the studio’s limited use of generative AI for internal mock‑ups and placeholder text, the RPG community detonated into outrage mode ((™), lol). And not the fun, meme‑y kind—more like the “everyone is yelling in all caps” kind.

The backlash got so intense that Robert J. Kuntz, one of the original architects of Dungeons & Dragons,  a founding parental figure, if you will, of the entire RPG genre, stepped in with a digital hand‑raise and a very polite, very pointed message:

“Everyone. Please. Chill.”

According to reporting from several sources, Kuntz didn’t mince words. He said

“Fans of Larian, maybe lighten up on the creatives who work their arses off day in and day out,” 

Adding that it was “sorta disappointing” to see Larian CEO Swen Vincke treated like an outsider in his own community.

And honestly? When one of the people who literally helped invent the RPG space tells you to take a breath, maybe it’s time to take a nice, slow, deep breath.

A Legend’s Perspective

Kuntz didn’t stop at a single tweet. In a longer follow‑up, he called the wave of hostility “eye‑popping rage bait” driven by “bad actor syndrome”. Translation: some people are here to stir the pot, not to have a good‑faith conversation.

He also dropped a line that hits harder the longer you sit with it:

“The RPG gaming community, which I helped create and nurture from 1972–1974 onward, used to be a lot more appreciative.”

That’s not just commentary, that’s a bit of a history lesson wrapped in a sigh of disappointment.

Kuntz made it clear he’s not a fan of generative AI as a creative replacement. He described it as having “no soul, no emotion, no birthright” (facts). But he also pointed out that using AI for mock‑ups is no different from scanning sketches into Photoshop. It’s a tool, not a takeover. (also facts).

And that distinction? It’s the part of the conversation that got completely lost in the stampede.

Larian Studios Responds To The Backlash

Meanwhile, Swen Vincke—who has temporarily stepped away from social media for the sake of his sanity—clarified that “a lot has become lost in translation” regarding Larian’s use of AI.

He emphasized that:

• Larian’s DNA is agency,
• The studio’s success comes from empowering people,
• “And it would be ‘irresponsible’ not to evaluate new technologies as part of evolving workflows.”

He also reiterated that no AI‑generated content will appear in the final game, a point both outlets confirmed.

Larian plans to host an AMA in the new year to clear the air—because at this point, the discourse is so tangled it needs a machete.

Why This Blew Up So Fast

AI is a lightning rod right now. The second you mention it, half the internet hears “robots replacing artists,” the other half hears “efficiency,” and the rest are already typing essays about the death of creativity.

But the reaction here wasn’t just about AI. It was about fear—fear that a beloved studio might compromise its values, fear that the industry is shifting under everyone’s feet, fear that the next great RPG might come with an asterisk. Which, valid, because there are already situations where departments were downsized because of AI, so the fear is real!

Kuntz’s intervention is a reminder that the people making these games are, well… people. Exhausted, passionate, overworked people who are trying to build something ambitious while the internet screams at them to hurry up with the official drop. Can’t they have a bit of extra help?

Stay Calm And Take A Breath

It’s wild that just a week after Larian unveiled its next Divinity—a moment that should’ve been pure celebration—the conversation has been hijacked by AI panic. But here we are!

Thankfully, one of the genre’s founding voices stepped in to say what needed to be said:

Respect the people making the things you love.

Larian isn’t replacing artists. They aren’t automating storytelling. They aren’t handing the keys to a robot overlord. They’re experimenting, evaluating, and—most importantly—still putting humans at the center of their craft.

And if Robert Kuntz thinks the community needs to lighten up?

Maybe it’s time to lighten up. Even if just a tad.