The controversy surrounding Saber Interactive's use of AI in their upcoming game, Rideshare Stimulator, has taken an unexpected turn. Initially, the company denied replacing a lead writer with ChatGPT, but now, CEO Matthew Karch has admitted that he would have been happy to replace the writer with AI in retrospect. This admission comes as a response to narrative designer Stella Sacco's claims that Saber replaced her with generative AI tools and failed to disclose their involvement. Karch's statement is a personal attack on Sacco, suggesting she was replaced by someone more talented and terminated for various reasons. He also implies that her actions violated a confidentiality clause, which led to the delay in revealing the AI's involvement. Karch's perspective highlights the potential benefits of AI in game development, particularly for a lower-priced title, and suggests that the use of AI can enhance the gaming experience. However, the controversy has already caused a stir on the game's Steam page, with players arguing over the undisclosed use of AI. The situation raises questions about the transparency and ethics of AI implementation in the gaming industry, especially when it comes to replacing human writers and developers. As the debate continues, Saber Interactive's handling of the controversy may have long-lasting implications for their reputation and the perception of AI in gaming.
