Saber Interactive chief executive Matt Karch has publicly explained an apparent reference to Gearbox co-founder Randy Pitchford in the announcement trailer for Rideshare Stimulator. The trailer includes the phrase “randiest of passengers” and shows a Texas vehicle plate reading “USB DRV”, with a cog-like symbol associated with Gearbox. Asked by Game File about the reference, Karch said it was retaliation for what he regarded as criticism of former owner Embracer Group in Borderlands 4, adding that, without Embracer, Pitchford would be “performing magic tricks at birthday parties for a living”. The trailer’s wording and plate are widely read as alluding to a long-running, previously settled legal dispute involving a USB drive left by Pitchford at a Medieval Times venue; Pitchford has described magic as an interest.

The exchange follows a period in which both companies changed ownership after being part of Embracer’s games group. Embracer bought Saber in 2020 and Gearbox in 2021, then sold Saber to an investor group controlled by Karch in March 2024 and Gearbox to Take-Two Interactive. Gearbox has not formally identified the Borderlands 4 material as a criticism of Embracer, but the game contains an area called Embracer’s Bluff, while Pitchford previously said the studio’s experience under Embracer helped inform the game’s themes of autonomy and organisation. Karch, who has defended Embracer’s management in the past, characterised Saber’s trailer reference as a response; Game File reported that a Gearbox representative did not comment before publication.