Saber Interactive has been talking about generative AI in game development again. Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits says he believes some development team will eventually create a truly stunning AI game that could change how players view the technology — much like Half-Life 2 did back in its day. Willits calls this hypothetical title “the Half-Life 2 of AI”, believing that if someone can create something impressive enough, players might shift from their current resistant attitude to accepting AI.
Do Players Actually Not Want AI?
This statement comes at a tricky time. Just earlier this month, Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch sparked controversy by discussing AI usage in Rideshare Simulator. He wished he could have replaced a fired screenwriter with AI, later apologizing for the remarks. Rideshare Simulator itself has drawn player attention for its AI usage. The game currently uses AI-generated music, voice, localization, and some passenger missions. Willits says Saber is treating this title as a small-scale experiment to understand what AI is actually good for.
Saber: Our Big Titles Don’t Use Generative AI
Willits stressed that Saber isn’t rolling out generative AI across their major titles. Hellraiser: Revival, Turok, and Stuntman: Hollywood don’t use generative AI. The actual AI experiments are limited to parts of Rideshare Simulator. He believes AI is still in the industry’s experimental phase — developers and players alike don’t know what the technology will ultimately become, so Saber chose to test with smaller projects rather than shoving AI into big games.
Could an “AI Half-Life 2” Actually Change Player Minds?
Willits uses Steam as an example — it was also resisted by players when it launched but now is essential for PC gaming. He believes AI could go through a similar process. The problem is, Steam offered a very clear service, while generative AI in games today sparks debate precisely around whether creative work should be handed to AI.
GamesRadar also notes many developers remain negative about generative AI, with some game industry legal experts believing AI’s copyright and legal risks may not be worth the gamble. So whether an “AI Half-Life 2” will ever appear remains a huge question mark. But one thing’s certain: if there is an AI game that makes players genuinely say “AI works this time,” it probably cannot just swap human work for ChatGPT and write “we are innovative” on the Steam page.