Tim Willits doesn't think Rideshare's generative AI is damaging Saber's reputation

Tim Willits, Saber Interactive’s chief creative officer, addressed concerns over the studio’s use of generative AI in Rideshare Stimulator, a driving simulator where AI generates passenger dialogue in Free Ride mode. Willits emphasized that all narrative missions are human-written, with AI confined to a minor feature. He described the AI integration as a cautious experiment to explore the technology’s potential in games, noting it appears only in Rideshare and not in Saber’s other titles like Space Marine 2 or SnowRunner.

The omission of AI disclosure on Rideshare’s Steam page initially sparked criticism, as Valve’s policy requires transparency about generative AI use. Willits attributed the oversight to a misaligned announcement plan, which was disrupted by premature public discussions about the game. He acknowledged the policy’s strictness but suggested the timing of the reveal contributed to the confusion, despite the rule’s lack of exceptions for early announcements.

Willits dismissed concerns that the AI use in Rideshare could cast doubt on Saber’s other games, such as Road Kings, where emergent quests might resemble AI-generated content. He argued that players’ enjoyment of games like Road Kings would outweigh skepticism, pointing to historical examples where initial backlash gave way to acceptance once products launched. Willits framed the AI experiment as a low-risk trial to test the technology’s viability in smaller projects before potential wider adoption.

Willits compared the current skepticism around generative AI to past industry controversies, such as Quake 3’s video card requirement or early Steam server issues. He expressed confidence that future breakthroughs would normalize the technology, urging patience as both developers and players adapt. Willits stressed that Saber’s focus remains on delivering quality games, with AI serving as a supplementary tool rather than a core development strategy.