Tim Willits says id would have used generative AI; Saber confines AI to Rideshare mode

GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed

Tim Willits, former id Software co-owner and current Saber Interactive CCO, said id would have embraced generative AI and joked John Carmack would have driven it toward 'making Skynet.' At Gamescom 2026 Willits clarified Saber uses generative AI only in an optional Free Ride mode of Rideshare Simulator to generate passenger dialogue, while the game's main campaign and side missions are written by humans. Saber faced criticism for delaying AI disclosures and for a writer's claim they were replaced by AI; the company's CEO apologized for badmouthing that writer and Saber says no generative AI is used in major titles like Hellraiser, Turok, or Stuntman.

• Tim Willits said id Software would have used generative AI in the past and quipped that John Carmack would have pushed it strongly.
• Saber Interactive is using generative AI only for the optional Free Ride mode in Rideshare Simulator to produce passenger stories and dialogue.
• Rideshare's main campaign and all side missions are written by human writers, not AI.
• Saber delayed public AI disclosures for Rideshare, faced backlash including a writer's claim of being replaced by AI, and the company's CEO later apologized.