Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy surrounding allegations that the studio had dismissed a writer working on the project in favor of AI‑generated text. The move appears to be a direct response to public scrutiny and internal statements made by the company’s chief executive, Matt Karch, regarding the circumstances surrounding the departure of former staff member Stella Sacco.
The newly posted disclaimer reads in full: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who worked at Saber from July 2023 to July 2024, and stated she was removed from Rideshare midway through development and replaced with ChatGPT, while alleging other then‑unannounced use of AI in the game's development." In the wake of these remarks, Karch offered his own version of events. He claimed that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and went on to say that "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This admission sparked a broader discussion about the role of artificial intelligence in game writing, especially for a title that Saber intends to price lower than many of its peers. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch appeared flustered when asked about Sacco. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referencing the AI model Claude. He added, "We have already said we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalised the feature set." Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, stating, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers." The controversy deepened when Sacco posted on the social network BlueSky over the weekend, noting that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "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 later issued a public comment on LinkedIn, attempting to contextualise his earlier outburst. "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 explained.
"It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The episode raises several important questions about transparency, workplace ethics, and the evolving role of AI in creative industries. First, the decision to replace a human writer with an AI system—whether fully or partially—touches on broader concerns about job security for creative professionals. While AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and others can accelerate content generation, they lack the lived experience, nuanced voice, and emotional insight that a human writer brings to a narrative about everyday people navigating gig‑economy work.
Critics argue that relying heavily on AI for dialogue and story beats may result in a flatter, less authentic player experience, especially in a simulation that aims to capture the human side of ridesharing. Second, the timing of the disclaimer suggests that Saber Interactive may be attempting to pre‑empt further backlash by being upfront about its AI usage.
In the gaming community, there is a growing expectation for studios to disclose when AI has been employed, particularly in narrative or artistic components. This demand stems from a desire for authenticity and a fear that undisclosed AI involvement could be perceived as cutting corners or deceiving consumers.
Third, the personal dynamics between Karch and Sacco illustrate how quickly professional disagreements can become public spectacles in the age of social media. Sacco’s decision to share her perspective on BlueSky—a platform known for its open‑ended conversation style—allowed her to frame the narrative on her own terms. Karch’s subsequent LinkedIn post attempted to humanise his reaction, acknowledging that he responded impulsively. While some may view his apology as a sincere attempt at reconciliation, others might see it as damage control.
From a legal standpoint, there are also potential ramifications. Employment contracts often contain clauses about confidentiality and non‑disparagement. Publicly discussing internal personnel decisions, especially when alleging that a writer was replaced by an AI, could expose the company to claims of defamation or wrongful termination, depending on the specifics of Sacco’s employment agreement and local labor laws. For gamers, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer may be limited to expectations about the game's narrative quality.
If Saber Interactive truly integrates AI to generate certain in‑game text—such as passenger dialogues, mission descriptions, or tutorial prompts—players might notice a more formulaic tone. However, the studio could also use AI as a tool to augment human writers, allowing them to iterate faster while still preserving a human editorial hand. The distinction between AI‑assisted writing and AI‑only writing is subtle but important, and the disclaimer should ideally clarify where the line is drawn. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects a broader industry trend toward greater openness about artificial‑intelligence tools in game development.
The controversy surrounding the departure of former writer Stella Sacco and CEO Matt Karch’s subsequent apology highlights the human element behind these technological shifts. As AI continues to evolve, studios will need to balance efficiency gains with ethical considerations, ensuring that creators are treated fairly and that players receive transparent information about the content they are consuming.
The ongoing dialogue between developers, writers, and the gaming community will shape how AI is responsibly integrated into interactive entertainment moving forward.