Saber Interactive has confirmed that generative AI will not be used in the development of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3. This assurance comes in response to fan concerns that arose after Saber revealed the use of generative AI in its game, Rideshare Stimulator, particularly for speech and text in its Free Ride mode. The controversy surrounding Rideshare Stimulator led to a public exchange between Saber CEO Matthew Karch and former writer Stella Sacco, who claimed she was replaced by AI.
Fans of the Space Marine series, including the anticipated Space Marine 2, voiced their anxieties on platforms like Reddit. One popular thread quoted Karch on AI, with users expressing hopes that Games Workshop, the owner of the Warhammer 40,000 intellectual property, would prevent its use in their games. These hopes were well-founded, as Games Workshop has a clear anti-AI stance.
Games Workshop previously banned the use of AI in its content production and design processes, with CEO Kevin Rountree stating in November 2025 that the company was monitoring the technology closely and not using it in product design or IP creation to protect integrity. The company also investigated instances of potentially AI-generated marketing materials to ensure staff adherence to internal policies.
During an interview at gamescom, Saber development chief Tim Willits directly addressed the use of generative AI. He confirmed that it is not being employed in Space Marine 3 and promised it would not appear in any of Saber's licensed titles, including Hellraiser: Revival, Stuntman: Hollywood, and Jurassic Park: Survival. "There is absolutely no generative AI in Space Marine 3 or Hellraiser or Stuntman or Turok or Jurassic Park, or Wick," Willits stated.
Willits explained that while Saber is experimenting with AI, particularly in a game like Rideshare Stimulator where it might be deemed appropriate, they adhere to the wishes of license owners for other projects. "We're good," he confirmed regarding Space Marine 3. This means the game will not feature AI-generated dialogue, voices, or artwork, which is expected to be welcomed news for the Warhammer 40,000 community.
Despite these assurances, Willits expressed interest in the potential of AI in game development, noting that the technology and its applications are still largely undiscovered. He believes it will take several years for the industry to fully understand and utilize AI effectively, potentially through a groundbreaking game that changes perceptions. Saber Interactive is continuing to experiment with AI, but its integration into major licensed titles like Space Marine 3 is off the table for now. Space Marine 3 is currently in development with no release window announced, while Space Marine 2 is set to receive its third year of DLC support.