Saber CEO confirms jabs at Randy Pitchford in Rideshare Stimulator trailer as Embracer payback
Matt Karch says the digs at Gearbox boss were retaliation for shots at Embracer in Borderlands 4.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 10 items across 3 sources · 2h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch has confirmed that subtle references in the Rideshare Stimulator trailer—including wordplay on "randy," a USB drive license plate, and a Magic Castle reference—were deliberate digs at Gearbox boss Randy Pitchford. Karch told Game File the jabs were payback for Pitchford's shots at Embracer (their former parent company) in Borderlands 4, specifically the in-game location "Embracer's Bluff" depicting trash and degradation.
- Saber CEO Matt Karch deliberately embedded multiple references to Randy Pitchford and Gearbox in the Rideshare Stimulator trailer, including wordplay on "randy," a 'USB DRV' license plate, and the Magic Castle reference.
- Karch confirmed the digs were retaliation for Pitchford's in-game jabs at Embracer in Borderlands 4, specifically the 'Embracer's Bluff' location depicting trash and degradation.
- The feud stems from Embracer's failed acquisition spree that led to the 2024 divestment of both studios—Gearbox to Take-Two and Saber to Karch's investment firm.
- Karch worked with Pitchford while both were under Embracer's umbrella and has previously expressed frustration with how quickly the industry moved on from the company's demise.
How it unfolded
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Kotaku, PC Gamer, Video Games Chronicle, GamesRadar+, and others amplify the story of the confirmed feud between Karch and Pitchford.
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Game File reporter uncovers the embedded references in the Rideshare Stimulator trailer, including wordplay on Pitchford's first name, a USB drive license plate, and the Magic Castle reference.
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Saber CEO Matt Karch tells Game File the references were intentional retaliation for Pitchford's jabs at Embracer in Borderlands 4, claiming that without Embracer, Pitchford would be performing magic tricks at birthday parties.
“The dig is because Randy took shots at Embracer in Borderlands 4. Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living.”
Matt Karch · Google News ↗ -
Reports explain the context: Embracer acquired both Gearbox (2021 for $363M) and Saber (2020 for $150M), then divested both when investment dried up in 2024. Gearbox went to Take-Two; Saber to Karch's investment company.
- 6 weeks quiet
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Saber Interactive releases trailer for upcoming taxi simulation game Rideshare Stimulator, which quietly embeds references to Randy Pitchford and Gearbox.
What people are saying verbatim
“The dig is because Randy took shots at Embracer in Borderlands 4. Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living.”
Matt Karch, Saber Interactive CEO · Game File ↗ · Aug 9
“When I think I've met the randiest of passengers, someone even stranger gets in.”
Rideshare Stimulator trailer narrator, Game narrator · Rideshare Stimulator trailer (quoted in Game File) ↗ · Jun 30
“Take a ride in my chariot, and I will take you to my castle.”
Rideshare Stimulator trailer narrator, Game narrator · Rideshare Stimulator trailer (quoted in IGN) ↗ · Jun 30
“I love Randy, first of all. Let me just say that on the record. And I love his big personality. I love his passion and he is one of the all time great game makers.”
Strauss Zelnick, Take-Two Interactive CEO · IGN ↗ · Jul 31
“It's amazing to me how fast people forget those who went above and beyond for them.”
Matt Karch, Saber Interactive CEO · Game File ↗ · Aug 9
“Without Embracer, Randy is performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living.”
Matt Karch, Saber Interactive CEO · Kotaku ↗ · Aug 10