Tim Willits doesn’t think Rideshare’s generative AI is damaging Saber’s reputation
Saber Interactive, developer of games including Space Marine 2, SnowRunner, and World War Z, faced significant backlash following the announcement of Rideshare Stimulator, an Uber-style driving simulator. The controversy erupted when a former writer on the project revealed that the game featured generative AI—a detail that had not been disclosed on the game’s Steam page. The undisclosed use of AI-generated content sparked widespread criticism within the gaming community.
CEO Matt Karch initially responded by attacking the former writer in statements to the press, intensifying negative attention toward the studio. Following the backlash, Karch subsequently apologized for his response. Tim Willits, chief creative officer at Saber Interactive, has stated that he does not believe the generative AI controversy is damaging the studio’s reputation. The incident reflects broader concerns within the gaming industry about transparency regarding the use of generative AI in game development and the importance of clearly disclosing such practices to players.