Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch has seemingly responded to criticism from Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford regarding Embracer Group's sale of the company, embedding a subtle jab in the trailer for Saber's upcoming game, Rideshare 'Stimulator'. The trailer features a customized Texas license plate reading "USB DRV" and a narrator remarking, "And when I think I've met the randiest of passengers, someone even stranger gets it." Both elements are interpreted as direct references to Pitchford.
The "USB DRV" plate alludes to a widely reported incident where Pitchford allegedly copied a pornographic performance from a USB drive, intending to study the "method" as a magic enthusiast. He reportedly left the drive at a Medieval Times venue, where it was found and examined by other Gearbox employees.
The phrase "randiest of passengers" also appears to be a veiled reference to the same incident, using a less common synonym for horny. Karch confirmed to Game File that these inclusions were intentional digs at Pitchford.
"The dig is because Randy took shots at Embracer in Borderlands 4," Karch stated. "Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living."
This statement follows Pitchford's comments in 2025 that the story in Borderlands 4 was inspired by Gearbox's sale. Shortly after, the game featured environments and characters that appeared to criticize Embracer, including a town named Embracer's Bluff filled with trash and a ruler in a hot tub surrounded by what were described as dildos. While Gearbox and Pitchford never officially confirmed the references, Karch expressed his disapproval of their perceived disloyalty.
Embracer Group acquired Gearbox in 2021 for up to $1.3 billion. However, in March 2024, amidst its own restructuring, Embracer sold Gearbox to Take-Two for $460 million, just a month after selling Saber Interactive to the same buyer for $247 million. Despite the sale, Pitchford initially called the arrangement a "net positive" for all parties involved. Karch, who has continued to support Embracer and its CEO Lars Wingefors since the Saber divestment, views Pitchford's subsequent criticisms as a betrayal. "It's amazing to me how fast people forget those who went above and beyond for them," Karch remarked, indicating that he has not forgotten.
