Saber Interactive has updated its Steam page with an AI disclaimer following a public disagreement between its CEO, Matt Karch, and a former writer, Stella Sacco. Sacco had claimed she was replaced by AI in 2023, prompting a strong response from Karch.
Karch initially stated that the company intended to update the Steam page once its AI features were finalized, but that Sacco's public statements violated a confidentiality clause and preempted their announcement. He asserted that AI is already being used for certain parts of their games and that the company believes AI can and should influence gamer experiences. In the game Rideshare, an experimental mode was added to explore AI concepts, which required additional writers and coders to achieve satisfactory results, ultimately increasing development costs compared to omitting AI elements.
Karch also clarified that the AI integration in Rideshare is not central to the core experience and involves a mix of human-made and AI-generated music for radio stations, with AI-generated content clearly labeled. He characterized the entire controversy as a "publicity stunt," noting that Sacco had been removed from the project three years prior and that Saber Interactive has since increased its writing staff. He humorously suggested that if he had sought publicity for the game, Sacco had inadvertently provided it.
The updated Steam page now includes a disclaimer addressing the use of AI-generated dialogue and music. The dispute highlights the ongoing debate surrounding AI in game development and the varying approaches publishers are taking to disclose its use to players.