Tim Willits, the chief creative officer at Saber Interactive, weighed in on the controversy sparked by CEO Matthew Karch’s response to allegations that a writer had been replaced by an artificial‑intelligence tool. The dispute began when Stella Sacco publicly claimed in August that she was the lead writer on Saber’s upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, but that the company had “replaced me with ChatGPT halfway through development.” In reply, Karch issued a sharply worded statement, essentially dismissing Sacco’s existence and suggesting that she had been replaced by a more capable individual before being terminated for unrelated reasons.
Sacco fired back, insisting that her account was accurate and calling the CEO’s remarks “remarkably pathetic.” When GamesIndustry.biz approached Willits at Gamescom for comment, he framed the exchange as nothing more than “Matt’s sarcasm.” He emphasized that the company has never swapped a human writer for an AI system, describing such a notion as “crazy.” According to Willits, none of the narrative content for Saber’s current portfolio—including titles such as Space Marine, Hellraiser, and Stuntman—has been generated by generative AI. All storylines, missions, and character dialogues remain the product of human authors. Willits did, however, acknowledge that Saber is actively experimenting with AI in limited, controlled ways. He explained that the studio is still exploring where AI might add genuine value to game development, what players might enjoy, and which aspects of production could benefit from automation.
In the case of the yet‑to‑be‑released Rideshare Simulator, the team is testing an “AI mode” that leverages artificial‑intelligence tools for certain optional features. Specifically, the Steam store page for the game notes that the main campaign’s story, characters, and dialogue are crafted by a team of human writers, while AI is employed only for voice synthesis and some aspects of localization. Additionally, the optional “Free Ride” mode includes AI‑generated passenger missions and localized dialogue, and the in‑game radio stations blend both human‑composed and AI‑produced music tracks. Willits clarified that Saber does not currently use generative AI for core production pipelines such as code writing, environment creation, or texture generation.
He stressed that any AI usage is confined to peripheral tasks and experimental features rather than fundamental design or narrative work. Looking ahead, Willits speculated that the industry may eventually encounter a breakthrough application of modern AI that feels “clever and brilliant,” a use case that could become a defining moment for developers and players alike.
He likened the current exploratory phase to the early days of any transformative technology, when people question its purpose and potential before it becomes integrated into everyday workflows. He added that the evolution of AI in games will likely follow a similar trajectory: initial skepticism, followed by gradual adoption as practical benefits become evident. Willits expressed optimism that by next year’s Gamescom, larger titles might showcase more substantial AI integration, and he is eager to see how those experiments unfold in Saber’s own Rideshare Simulator. He described the project as a valuable testbed for understanding player reception, technical feasibility, and creative possibilities.
"It’s a great experiment," he said, noting that the studio will monitor feedback closely to determine whether AI can enhance the gaming experience without compromising the human touch that defines storytelling. In summary, while Saber Interactive is not replacing writers or other creative staff with AI, it is cautiously probing the technology’s capabilities in specific, low‑risk areas. The company maintains that all primary narrative content remains human‑written, and any AI contributions are clearly disclosed to players. Willits’ comments suggest a measured approach: embracing AI as a supplemental tool while awaiting a breakthrough that would justify deeper integration.
The ongoing dialogue reflects broader industry debates about the role of artificial intelligence in creative fields, balancing innovation with the preservation of authentic, human‑crafted storytelling.