Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. The move comes after a heated dispute that surfaced online, in which a former writer for the studio claimed she had been removed from the project and replaced by AI‑generated text.
The controversy sparked a broader conversation about the ethical boundaries of AI in video game creation, prompting the company to address the issue publicly and to clarify its stance for potential buyers. The full disclaimer now reads as follows: the studio acknowledges that certain portions of Rideshare Simulator were produced with the assistance of AI tools, and it will continue to update the Steam page as the feature set solidifies.
This statement was issued after a series of comments from Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, regarding the departure of writer Stella Sacco. Sacco was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024, and she alleges that midway through the development cycle she was dismissed and her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI.
In addition to that claim, Sacco suggested that other, still‑undisclosed AI technologies had been employed throughout the project without proper acknowledgment. In response to the allegations, Karch initially framed Sacco’s exit as a personnel decision unrelated to AI.
He said that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that, in hindsight, he "would have been happy to replace her with AI." The tone of his remarks suggested a dismissive attitude toward the writer’s contributions and an openness to using automated tools in place of human labor. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch appeared to double‑down on the claim that he had never even met Sacco. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he told the hosts, referencing Claude, another AI chat assistant. He went on to say, "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 further rationalized the use of AI by positioning it as a consumer benefit. "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers," he explained, implying that AI could reduce production costs and potentially lower the retail price for players. This line of reasoning reflects a growing industry narrative that AI can streamline development pipelines, but it also raises questions about transparency, authorship, and the value placed on creative labor.
The dispute took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, 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 separate public statement on LinkedIn, attempting to contextualize 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 admitted. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The episode highlights several broader issues that are currently reshaping the gaming industry. First, the line between assistance and replacement is becoming increasingly blurred as AI language models become more sophisticated. While many studios use AI for tasks such as localization, bug‑report summarization, or generating placeholder text, the claim that a full‑time writer was supplanted by a chatbot raises ethical concerns about job security and the recognition of creative work. Second, transparency with consumers is emerging as a critical factor.
Players are becoming more aware of how games are made, and they often expect clear disclosures when AI tools are used, especially if the technology influences narrative or dialogue. By adding the disclaimer to the Steam page, Saber Interactive is taking a step toward meeting that expectation, though critics may argue that the timing—after public backlash—suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach. Third, the incident underscores the importance of corporate communication during crises.
Karch’s initial dismissive remarks, followed by a later apology, illustrate how quickly a situation can spiral when leaders respond impulsively. His acknowledgment that he "shot first and thought second" serves as a cautionary tale for executives who must balance personal feelings with professional responsibility.
From a legal perspective, the use of AI-generated content can intersect with copyright law, especially when AI models are trained on existing works. If a game’s script is partially produced by an AI trained on copyrighted material, questions arise about ownership and the need for licensing. While no legal action has been reported in this case, the industry is watching closely as similar disputes could set precedents. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive’s handling of the controversy may influence how other developers approach AI integration.
The company’s decision to label the game as a "lower‑priced title" that benefits from AI cost savings could become a model for pricing strategies, but it also risks alienating creators who feel undervalued. In summary, Saber Interactive has responded to a public dispute over the alleged replacement of a human writer with AI by adding an explicit disclaimer to the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator. CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized for his earlier remarks and admitted to reacting impulsively. The situation sheds light on the evolving role of AI in game development, the necessity for transparent communication with both staff and consumers, and the broader ethical and legal implications of automating creative processes.
As the industry continues to experiment with AI, the balance between efficiency, creativity, and fairness will remain a focal point of discussion among developers, writers, and players alike.