Game Dev CEO Accused of Replacing Writers With AI is Now Completely Crashing Out

Saber, the video game developer behind the upcoming "Rideshare Stimulator," is facing accusations of replacing its writers with AI. Stella Sacco, a former lead writer, claims she was fired in December 2023 as the game was still in development. According to Sacco, AI was used to replace human writers and to generate the game's passenger voices.

Saber CEO Matthew Karch initially denied the allegations, stating that neither Saber nor their development studio, Unigine, had replaced any writers with AI. However, Karch's denials grew increasingly hostile, with Karch accusing Sacco of enjoying controversy and suggesting that replacing her with AI would have been preferable. The controversy intensified when a trailer for "Rideshare Stimulator" was released, featuring AI-generated dialogue that went unnoticed initially.

After Sacco's allegations, the negative comments on the trailer surged, with many criticizing the game's use of AI. Steam, the platform hosting the game, does not require a disclaimer for AI-generated content, and Saber's listing currently lacks such a disclaimer. Karch admitted that the game uses AI, but did not specify the type of AI being employed.

He also defended the use of AI tools to enhance gameplay experiences and improve NPC behavior. The backlash against Saber intensified as the allegations spread, with reports of negative comments on Steam and a surge of criticism on gaming forums. Sacco maintains her stance, criticizing Karch's statement as "horrendous" and asserting that it will damage Saber's reputation more than her own.