Saber Interactive’s forthcoming Rideshare “Stimulator” has become a focal point of discussion, particularly following comments from CEO Matthew Karch regarding a trailer that seemingly includes a veiled reference to Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford. However, the trailer has also elicited a more somber response from former lead writer Stella Sacco, who took to Bluesky to express her concerns about being replaced on the project by ChatGPT.
Controversy Surrounding AI Replacement
Sacco’s remarks have stirred the pot, as she claimed, “I didn’t even see this had been announced. I was lead writer on this one! And Saber replaced me with ChatGPT midway through development. All the passenger voices were AI too.” Her post raises questions about the creative direction of the game, suggesting either a shift in focus or a lack of transparency regarding the game’s development on platforms like Steam.
“I didn’t even see this had been announced. I was lead writer on this one! And Saber replaced me with ChatGPT midway through development. All the passenger voices were AI too. Either they changed direction at some point or they’re not disclosing it on Steam.” — @antlervel.vet
In a follow-up post, Sacco elaborated on her experience, stating that the decision to utilize AI was driven by “one to two AI dummy higher-ups at Saber.” She expressed appreciation for her immediate supervisor, who advocated for her involvement in the project, arguing that her experience with live games made her an asset. Despite these efforts, the insistence from higher-ups that “gamers love new tech” ultimately led to the decision to incorporate AI, which they believed would serve as an effective marketing strategy.
The fallout from Sacco’s allegations has been swift, with notable backlash surfacing on platforms like YouTube and Steam, primarily concerning the use of AI and the absence of disclosure on the game’s Steam page. In a statement to PC Gamer, Saber Interactive refuted Sacco’s claims, while acknowledging the presence of AI within the game.
Sacco further asserted, “They took me off the project to use ChatGPT to write the rest of the text, including planned live updates.” She emphasized her role in the initial stages of development, suggesting that the decision to pivot towards AI was made without her knowledge or consent.
The Steam page for Rideshare “Stimulator” touts “unique and unpredictable passenger stories,” hinting at the significance of narrative in gameplay. While the mechanics of driving may form the backbone of the experience, it is the characters and their interactions that breathe life into the game. Sacco’s concerns highlight the potential disconnect between the game’s marketing narrative and the actual creative process.
Interestingly, the Steam page also mentions a “free-ride mode,” which seems to promise a departure from a strong narrative focus. The distinction made between human-written story elements and other aspects raises further questions about the overall integrity of the game’s storytelling. Moreover, the absence of an AI disclosure on the Steam page has not gone unnoticed, prompting inquiries that remain unanswered as of now.
Saber Interactive denies replacing writer with ChatGPT on its new driving game, but says it will use AI for dialog ‘as the number of passengers in the game is infinite’
Saber Interactive’s forthcoming Rideshare “Stimulator” has become a focal point of discussion, particularly following comments from CEO Matthew Karch regarding a trailer that seemingly includes a veiled reference to Gearbox’s Randy Pitchford. However, the trailer has also elicited a more somber response from former lead writer Stella Sacco, who took to Bluesky to express her concerns about being replaced on the project by ChatGPT.
Controversy Surrounding AI Replacement
Sacco’s remarks have stirred the pot, as she claimed, “I didn’t even see this had been announced. I was lead writer on this one! And Saber replaced me with ChatGPT midway through development. All the passenger voices were AI too.” Her post raises questions about the creative direction of the game, suggesting either a shift in focus or a lack of transparency regarding the game’s development on platforms like Steam.
In a follow-up post, Sacco elaborated on her experience, stating that the decision to utilize AI was driven by “one to two AI dummy higher-ups at Saber.” She expressed appreciation for her immediate supervisor, who advocated for her involvement in the project, arguing that her experience with live games made her an asset. Despite these efforts, the insistence from higher-ups that “gamers love new tech” ultimately led to the decision to incorporate AI, which they believed would serve as an effective marketing strategy.
The fallout from Sacco’s allegations has been swift, with notable backlash surfacing on platforms like YouTube and Steam, primarily concerning the use of AI and the absence of disclosure on the game’s Steam page. In a statement to PC Gamer, Saber Interactive refuted Sacco’s claims, while acknowledging the presence of AI within the game.
Sacco further asserted, “They took me off the project to use ChatGPT to write the rest of the text, including planned live updates.” She emphasized her role in the initial stages of development, suggesting that the decision to pivot towards AI was made without her knowledge or consent.
The Steam page for Rideshare “Stimulator” touts “unique and unpredictable passenger stories,” hinting at the significance of narrative in gameplay. While the mechanics of driving may form the backbone of the experience, it is the characters and their interactions that breathe life into the game. Sacco’s concerns highlight the potential disconnect between the game’s marketing narrative and the actual creative process.
Interestingly, the Steam page also mentions a “free-ride mode,” which seems to promise a departure from a strong narrative focus. The distinction made between human-written story elements and other aspects raises further questions about the overall integrity of the game’s storytelling. Moreover, the absence of an AI disclosure on the Steam page has not gone unnoticed, prompting inquiries that remain unanswered as of now.