Saber Interactive has taken a public step toward transparency by adding a clear artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator. The move comes after a heated dispute erupted over allegations that the company had dismissed a writer mid‑project and substituted her contributions with copy generated by ChatGPT and other AI tools.
The newly posted disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco claims she was removed from the Rideshare project partway through development and that her responsibilities were taken over by an AI system, specifically ChatGPT. She also alleges that additional, as‑yet‑undisclosed AI technologies were employed during the creation of the game." In a follow‑up statement, Karch attempted to clarify the situation.
He said that Sacco "was replaced by a colleague who brought a different skill set to the table and that her contract was terminated a few months later for a range of reasons." He added a somewhat contradictory comment, noting that "in hindsight I would have been comfortable replacing her work with AI if the circumstances called for it." During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch offered a more colorful anecdote: "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or even seen her in person," he said, referencing the AI model Claude.
He went on to explain that the studio had already announced the intentional use of AI for certain aspects of the game and that a more detailed notice would be added to the Steam page once the feature list was finalized. "We view the integration of AI in this particular lower‑price title as a benefit for the consumer," Karch asserted, framing the technology as a value‑adding element rather than a cost‑cutting measure. The controversy took a further turn over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky.
In her note, she said that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "From the beginning I have stood firm that my account was accurate; it now appears that the facts have been confirmed. Matt expressed a desire to make things right with me.
At this point I’m not entirely sure what that will look like, and I need some time to consider it, but I do accept his apology." Karch also issued a public comment on his LinkedIn profile, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding drama. "I unfortunately got triggered by certain later comments (for reasons I won’t get into) and shot first and thought second about how to respond," he wrote. "It happens, and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify the situation." The exchange highlights a broader industry debate about the role of AI in creative projects. On one side, developers argue that machine‑generated text can speed up production, reduce costs, and even inspire fresh ideas that human writers might overlook. On the other side, critics warn that relying on AI can marginalize human talent, dilute the uniqueness of a game's narrative voice, and raise ethical questions about authorship and credit.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game is positioned as an affordable, simulation‑driven experience that aims to capture the everyday realities of rideshare drivers. By labeling the AI usage as a "plus for consumers," Saber Interactive seems to be betting that players will appreciate faster content delivery and potentially lower prices over the perceived authenticity of a fully human‑written script. The situation also underscores the challenges of internal communication within development studios.
Sacco’s claim that she was removed without prior discussion, coupled with Karch’s admission that his response was impulsive, suggests a breakdown in the dialogue between management and creative staff. The public nature of the apologies and explanations indicates that both parties recognize the need to address the issue openly, perhaps to prevent further reputational damage.
From a legal perspective, the use of AI‑generated content raises questions about intellectual property rights. If an AI model produces a line of dialogue or a mission description, who owns that text? Does the studio retain full ownership, or must the original AI model’s creators be credited? While the current disclaimer does not delve into those nuances, it signals that Saber Interactive is aware of the scrutiny it may face from regulators, consumer advocacy groups, and industry peers.
Looking ahead, the disclaimer on the Steam page could serve as a template for other developers who wish to be forthright about AI involvement in their products. By providing a clear statement, studios can pre‑empt accusations of covert AI usage, which have become a hot topic after several high‑profile incidents in the gaming world.
In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to post an AI disclaimer for Rideshare Simulator marks a significant step toward transparency amid a contentious debate over the replacement of a human writer with an AI system. CEO Matt Karch’s public apology and acknowledgment of his hasty reaction demonstrate an attempt to mend fences with former employee Stella Sacco, while also positioning the AI integration as a consumer benefit. The incident serves as a microcosm of the wider conversation about the balance between technological efficiency and creative integrity in modern game development.