Saber Interactive's Tim Willits Confirms No Generative AI in Space Marine 3

Following weeks of scrutiny over its use of generative AI, Saber Interactive has moved to reassure players and license holders that its major upcoming titles remain untouched by the technology. At Gamescom, the studio's chief creative officer Tim Willits confirmed that Space Marine 3, the anticipated sequel to the 2024 hit Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, contains no generative AI in its development.

"There is absolutely no generative AI in Space Marine 3 or Hellraiser or Stuntman or Turok or Jurassic Park, or Wick," Willits told IGN in the interview. The statement covers all of Saber's major licensed franchises, addressing widespread community concerns that emerged after the studio's handling of generative AI in the indie project Rideshare Simulator.

The controversy began when a former writer on Rideshare Simulator, Stella Sacco, publicly claimed she had been replaced by AI. Saber CEO Matt Karch initially disputed the claim, leading to a public dispute that damaged the studio's reputation. Karch later issued a private apology to Sacco, but the incident prompted intense scrutiny of Saber's other projects, particularly Space Marine 3 given the massive success of Space Marine 2.

Willits indicated that Rideshare Simulator remains the sole Saber project where generative AI is being actively used as an experimental tool. "If you're going to experiment, it's a good one to experiment on," he explained. "Try it out in Rideshare, see if it works. See if people like it. If they don't like it, we're like, 'All right.'" The studio's decision to shield licensed properties from AI reflects pressure from franchise holders, particularly Games Workshop, which has implemented strict internal anti-generative AI policies across all Warhammer 40K products and marketing.

Willits, alongside CEO Matt Karch, remains philosophically pro-AI regarding game development's future, though he acknowledged the industry is still in early experimentation stages. "If anyone tells you that they have it figured out, they don't. It'll take a couple years and things will settle out and we'll figure it out," he said. Despite the studio's leadership embracing the technology's potential, Willits noted that Rideshare Simulator serves as the controlled testing ground for AI implementation while premium franchises proceed without it.