Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal AI usage disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game's product page, is intended to clarify the extent to which artificial intelligence tools were employed during development and to address the concerns raised by former staff and the gaming community. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco has alleged that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed AI applications used throughout the game's creation. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms.
Sacco was replaced by another individual deemed more suitable for the role and that her employment was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later. He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI technology.
"Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames.
"We have already announced that we are employing AI for certain aspects of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalized the feature set." "We view our use of AI in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as a benefit to consumers." In a separate post on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, Sacco wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "I've been firm from the beginning that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it's been borne out. Matt expressed a desire to make it right with me; at this time I don't really know what that looks like for me, and I'll have to take some time to sit with it, but I do at least accept his apology." Karch also posted a public comment on LinkedIn, stating, "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.
It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The controversy began when Sacco, who served as the lead writer for Rideshare Simulator, publicly alleged that the studio had abruptly removed her from the project and replaced her contributions with output generated by the language model ChatGPT. She further claimed that additional, as‑yet‑undisclosed AI tools had been used in areas ranging from narrative design to in‑game dialogue, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and the ethical treatment of creative staff.
Saber Interactive's response was initially defensive. In the interview with This Week In Videogames, CEO Matt Karch suggested that Sacco's removal was a standard personnel decision, emphasizing that she was "replaced by someone more talented" and that her termination occurred for "a variety of reasons" unrelated to the AI debate. He also hinted that, looking back, employing AI in place of a human writer would have been acceptable, a comment that further inflamed public opinion.
The gaming community reacted strongly. Many developers, journalists, and fans expressed concern that the use of AI could undermine the value of human creativity, especially when a studio appears to replace a writer without clear communication. Critics pointed out that the lack of a prior disclaimer on the Steam page made the later addition appear reactionary rather than proactive, suggesting that the company was attempting to manage a PR crisis rather than being transparent from the outset. In the days that followed, Sacco's statements on BlueSky and the subsequent apology from Karch added another layer to the story.
Sacco's acknowledgment that she accepted the apology, while also noting that she needed time to consider what "making it right" would entail, indicates a tentative step toward reconciliation. However, the exact terms of any settlement or corrective action remain undisclosed.
Karch's LinkedIn post attempted to humanize his reaction, admitting that he was "triggered" by later comments and that he responded impulsively—"shot first and thought second." He framed the incident as a human error, promising to take steps to rectify the situation. This admission of fallibility is unusual for a CEO in the tech and gaming sectors, where public statements are often tightly scripted. The broader implications of this episode touch on several ongoing industry debates. First, the question of how AI should be disclosed to consumers remains unsettled.
While some developers argue that AI can streamline production and reduce costs, others worry that undisclosed AI usage could mislead players about the authenticity of the game's narrative and artistic vision. Second, the treatment of creative staff in an era where AI can perform certain writing tasks raises concerns about job security and the ethical responsibilities of employers.
Finally, the incident underscores the importance of clear communication policies within companies, especially when emerging technologies intersect with traditional creative roles. In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive announced that it would update the Steam page once its AI feature set is finalized, indicating a commitment to greater transparency moving forward. The company also hinted that the lower‑priced nature of Rideshare Simulator could make AI integration a consumer benefit, suggesting cost savings might be passed on to players in the form of a lower purchase price. As the situation continues to evolve, industry observers will be watching closely to see whether Saber Interactive's revised disclaimer and Karch's public apology are sufficient to restore trust among gamers and creators alike.
The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the need for clear, upfront communication when deploying AI in creative projects, and it highlights the delicate balance between technological innovation and respect for the human talent that traditionally drives game storytelling.