“Somebody will make the Half-Life 2 of AI” - after the Rideshare controversy, Saber CCO says something will come along and “change people’s minds” about gen-AI
Saber Interactive has faced significant backlash over its use of generative AI in the upcoming game Rideshare Stimulator, prompting leadership to issue public statements addressing employee concerns and promising stricter safeguards.
The controversy erupted when CEO Matthew Karch clashed with a former writer for the game who claimed they were laid off and replaced by ChatGPT. The public dispute drew widespread criticism from the gaming community, leading Karch to apologize for his handling of the situation. In response, Saber added proper AI disclosure labels to the game’s Steam store page to increase transparency about its use of generative AI.
Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits has since addressed ongoing criticism by pledging that “We will never fire someone and replace them with AI.” This commitment appears designed to address fears that AI adoption could lead to workforce reductions within the company.
Rideshare Stimulator is an upcoming simulation game where players assume the role of a rideshare driver, similar to Uber or Lyft, and interact with passengers during trips. The game’s development incorporated generative AI, which Saber has disclosed publicly.
Saber Interactive operates 15 studios worldwide and publishes notable titles such as Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. The controversy highlights ongoing industry tensions regarding AI implementation, worker protection, and how studios should communicate with employees and consumers about AI usage in game development.