Saber Interactive CEO Sparks Fury After Public Spat Over AI Writer Replacement
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
A public dispute between Saber Interactive's CEO and a former lead writer has intensified following allegations that generative AI was used to replace creative staff on an upcoming game.
A very public feud between Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch and former lead writer Stella Sacco has erupted over the use of generative AI in game development. The controversy centers on Rideshare Stimulator, a title published by Saber and developed by Unigine. Sacco previously stated on social media that she was removed from the project midway through development and replaced with ChatGPT to handle narrative work and live updates, noting that the game featured AI passenger voices without proper disclosure on Steam.
Saber initially denied replacing writers with AI, telling PC Gamer that its writing staff has tripled since 2023 and that the core story was written by humans. However, the publisher acknowledged that an experimental free-ride mode incorporates AI to manage an infinite number of passengers. The situation escalated dramatically when Karch told This Week in Videogames that he would have been happy to replace Sacco with AI in retrospect to deal with someone programmed to be honest, dismissing her contributions and claiming she violated confidentiality.
Sacco fired back on social media, calling the CEO's statements remarkably pathetic and arguing that his reaction stems from frustration over premature exposure of the studio's AI integration. As players and developers continue to debate the ethical boundaries of generative tools in digital storytelling, this explosive exchange highlights the growing tension between studio executives and creative talent over automation in the industry. For a deeper dive into the initial reporting, you can read the full story on Eurogamer.
Tags: Industry News, AI in Gaming, Game Development, PC Gaming, Studio Culture
Original article: Eurogamer