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. This move comes after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had terminated a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by AI tools. The new notice is intended to provide transparency for players and to address the concerns raised by the controversy.
The full wording of the disclaimer reads as follows: "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 allegations, Karch offered his own account of what transpired. He explained that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that, looking back, he "would have been happy to replace her with AI." Karch also told the podcast This Week In Videogames that he had never actually met Sacco. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referencing the AI assistant Claude. He further clarified that the studio had already disclosed that AI would be employed for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. "We view our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a benefit for consumers," Karch asserted. The dispute continued on social media.
Over the weekend, Sacco posted on the BlueSky platform 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 added a public comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction. "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 a growing tension within the video‑game industry as studios experiment with AI‑generated content while trying to maintain ethical standards and respect for human creators.
Many developers see AI as a tool that can speed up writing, asset creation, and testing, especially for lower‑budget projects where resources are limited. However, the technology also raises questions about authorship, job security, and the quality of narrative experiences. In this case, the original writer, Stella Sacco, joined Saber in July 2023 and contributed to the early phases of Rideshare Simulator's design.
According to her statements, she was removed from the project midway and her responsibilities were handed over to an AI model, specifically ChatGPT, without a public announcement. Sacco's claims also suggested that other, undisclosed AI tools had been used throughout the development cycle, a point that the company had not previously disclosed to the public or to its own staff. From the company's perspective, the decision to integrate AI was framed as a cost‑saving measure and a way to deliver a more affordable game to consumers.
Karch argued that the AI components would enhance the player experience by providing dynamic dialogue and more varied in‑game scenarios, something that might have been difficult to achieve with a limited budget and a small writing team. Nonetheless, the lack of transparency sparked backlash from both fans and industry observers, who demanded clearer communication about how much of the game's narrative and text were generated by algorithms versus human writers.
The apology from Karch, while acknowledging his impulsive reaction, did not fully resolve the underlying concerns about the treatment of staff and the ethical implications of replacing human writers with AI. Critics argue that an apology must be accompanied by concrete actions, such as revising employment policies, offering compensation or credit to the displaced writer, and establishing clear guidelines for AI usage that protect creative professionals.
As the debate continues, other studios are watching closely. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for developers who consider leveraging AI in their pipelines.
It underscores the importance of establishing transparent policies, informing both employees and the public about AI's role, and ensuring that any automation complements rather than replaces human talent. For players, the controversy may influence purchasing decisions, especially for those who value authentic storytelling and are wary of AI‑generated content. In response to the growing scrutiny, Saber Interactive has pledged to update its Steam page with more detailed information about which features rely on AI, how those features impact gameplay, and what steps the studio will take to maintain quality and originality.
The company also indicated that it will engage with community feedback to refine its approach moving forward. Whether these measures will restore trust remains to be seen, but the episode undeniably adds to the ongoing conversation about the balance between technological innovation and respect for the creative workforce in the gaming industry.