PlayStation 5 driving simulator Rideshare has sparked a major industry controversy after former lead writer Stella Sacco revealed that her role on the project was handed over to ChatGPT. Following Sacco's social media disclosures, the title and developer Saber Interactive are facing intense public backlash across social media platforms, YouTube trailer comments, and Steam discussion boards.
What Happened With Rideshare's AI Development?
Sacco stated that she was the project's lead writer until higher-ups at Saber Interactive pushed for generative AI use, leading to her eventual termination. She also revealed that Rideshare utilizes AI voice acting and that the developer failed to disclose its AI usage on the game's Steam page prior to the public announcement.
Saber CEO Matthew Karch addressed the situation in a pointed statement to This Week in Video Games, confirming that the lower-priced title uses AI for certain aspects of development. Karch defended the choice as a benefit for consumers and stated that the Steam page would be updated once the feature set is finalized. Karch also disputed Sacco's involvement and defended the studio's staffing decisions, which further amplified criticism from players and industry observers alike.
Quick Facts
- Platform: PlayStation 5 (also listed on Steam for PC).
- Developer: Saber Interactive (with Unigine).
- Key Issue: Unannounced use of ChatGPT for the game script and AI voice acting.
- Pricing: Positioned as a lower-priced title.