Saber Interactive has taken the step of attaching an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the extent of AI usage within the project and to address the concerns raised by former staff and members of the gaming community. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber Interactive’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Karch, concerning former writer Stella Sacco.
Ms. Sacco was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024. She alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator development team midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI tools used during the game’s creation. In response, Mr.
Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as ‘more talented’ and that her employment was terminated for a range of reasons a few months later. He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her role with AI technology." During an interview with the video‑game podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch elaborated on the situation, saying, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or even seen her in person." He went on to acknowledge that the studio was already employing AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. "We view the incorporation of AI in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as a benefit for consumers," he added. The controversy intensified when Sacco posted on the social‑media platform BlueSky over the weekend, stating that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "I have been firm from the beginning that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it has 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 later issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, where he admitted, "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 episode raises several broader questions about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in video‑game development, the ethics of replacing human creators with machine‑generated content, and the responsibilities of studios to be transparent with their audiences.
AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models have become increasingly capable of producing coherent prose, dialogue, and even narrative structures. Developers argue that these systems can accelerate production, reduce costs, and free up creative talent to focus on higher‑level design decisions. Critics, however, warn that over‑reliance on AI may erode the quality of storytelling, diminish employment opportunities for writers, and obscure accountability when the output is flawed or culturally insensitive.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game is positioned as a more affordable, niche title aimed at players interested in the logistics and economics of ride‑hailing services. Saber Interactive’s decision to use AI for certain textual elements may have been driven by budget constraints, but the lack of clear communication initially led to speculation that the company was attempting to hide the practice. By adding the disclaimer, Saber hopes to restore trust and demonstrate a willingness to be open about its development pipeline.
Industry observers note that this incident could serve as a precedent for how studios handle AI disclosures in the future. Some publishers have already begun to label AI‑generated assets in their credits, while others remain silent, fearing backlash.
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has hinted at possible guidelines that would require developers to disclose the use of AI in marketing materials, in‑game text, or procedural generation, though no formal policy has been adopted yet. From a legal standpoint, the use of AI‑generated content also raises intellectual‑property concerns.
If a language model is trained on copyrighted material, questions arise about who owns the resulting text and whether it infringes on the original authors’ rights. While the United States Copyright Office currently does not recognize AI as an author, the debate continues in courts and legislative bodies worldwide. For Sacco, the experience has been both professionally and personally taxing.
She has spoken publicly about feeling marginalized and dismissed, emphasizing that her contributions to the early phases of Rideshare Simulator were significant. Her decision to share her perspective on BlueSky reflects a growing trend of creators using decentralized platforms to voice grievances outside traditional media channels. Matt Karch’s apology, though publicly issued, appears to be a first step toward reconciliation. He has expressed a desire to “make it right,” but concrete actions—such as offering a severance package, providing a public acknowledgment of her work, or involving her in future projects—have not yet been detailed.
The gaming community will likely watch closely to see whether Saber Interactive follows through on these promises or whether the apology remains a symbolic gesture. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an attempt to address mounting criticism over the replacement of a human writer with machine‑generated content. The episode underscores the tension between technological efficiency and creative integrity, the need for transparent communication with consumers, and the broader ethical implications of AI in the entertainment industry. As AI tools become more sophisticated and widespread, developers, publishers, and regulators will need to navigate a complex landscape where innovation must be balanced with respect for the human talent that has traditionally driven storytelling in games.