Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated debate erupted over claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The company’s decision to make the notice public came in the wake of a series of statements from CEO Matt Karch, who addressed the allegations surrounding former employee Stella Sacco, a writer who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024. According to Sacco’s account, she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its development cycle and her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT, the well‑known language model from OpenAI.
In addition to this claim, she suggested that other, still‑unpublicized, AI tools had been employed throughout the game’s creation, raising concerns about transparency and the ethical treatment of staff. Karch responded publicly, asserting that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later." He added a provocative after‑thought: "In retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This remark sparked further outrage among industry observers, who questioned the company’s commitment to fair labor practices and the integrity of its creative process. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch appeared to double‑down on his stance.
"Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referencing Claude, another AI conversational agent, as if to underline his reliance on machine assistance.
He continued, "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." He framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, noting that "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers." The implication was that the technology would lower production costs, potentially allowing the final product to be sold at a more accessible price point, a rationale that many critics found insufficient to justify the alleged dismissal of a human writer. The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on BlueSky over the weekend, stating 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 statement 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 admitted. "It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page 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." By placing this notice directly on the product’s primary sales platform, Saber appears to be acknowledging the public’s right to know how much of the game's content was generated by algorithms versus human creators. Industry analysts note that the situation touches on several broader trends.
First, the rapid adoption of generative AI tools in game development is reshaping traditional workflows. Studios are experimenting with AI for everything from narrative drafting to texture generation, often citing speed and cost savings.
However, the technology’s rise also brings legal and ethical questions about authorship, intellectual property, and the treatment of creative staff. Second, the episode underscores the importance of clear communication with both employees and consumers. When a company claims to be using AI, transparency about the extent and nature of that usage can help avoid misunderstandings. In Saber’s case, the initial lack of detail led to speculation, backlash, and ultimately a public apology.
Finally, the personal dimension of the dispute—Karch’s admission that he reacted impulsively—highlights the human side of corporate leadership. Executives are increasingly expected to manage not only business outcomes but also the reputational impact of their words, especially in the age of social media where statements can spread instantly.
Looking forward, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will continue to refine its AI policy and update the Steam listing as the game’s feature set becomes finalised. Whether the company will reinstate Sacco or otherwise address the underlying employment concerns remains to be seen.
For now, the AI disclaimer serves as a tangible reminder that the gaming industry is navigating a complex intersection of technology, creativity, and ethics, and that clear, honest communication is essential for maintaining trust among developers, players, and the wider public.