Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had sidelined a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The controversy began when former employee Stella Sacco, who served as the game's lead writer from July 2023 until July 2024, publicly alleged that she was removed from the project midway through development and that her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT.
Sacco also suggested that other, as‑yet‑undisclosed AI tools had been employed throughout the creation of the game. In response to these accusations, Saber Interactive's chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a statement attempting to clarify the situation.
He asserted that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, in hindsight, that he would have been "happy to replace her with AI" if the opportunity had arisen. Karch's remarks were captured in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he said, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to acknowledge that the studio was indeed using artificial‑intelligence tools for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set had been locked down. The CEO framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, noting that Rideshare Simulator is intended to be a lower‑priced title and that integrating AI could lower production costs, potentially allowing the studio to pass savings on to players. He described the AI integration as a "plus for consumers," suggesting that the technology would enhance the overall experience without compromising quality. The dispute escalated on social media when Sacco posted on the BlueSky platform over the weekend, stating that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She emphasized that she had stood firm from the beginning, insisting that her claims were truthful, and expressed a tentative willingness to accept the apology.
Sacco wrote, "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 addressed the controversy on LinkedIn, offering a more personal explanation for his earlier, defensive comments. 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." This candid admission was intended to soften the perception of his earlier remarks and to signal a willingness to move forward.
The addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam store page marks a concrete step by Saber Interactive to increase transparency about the role of machine‑learning tools in the game's development. The 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." Industry observers note that the situation reflects a broader tension within the video‑game sector, where studios are increasingly experimenting with AI for tasks ranging from procedural content generation to narrative drafting.
While AI can accelerate production pipelines and reduce costs, it also raises ethical questions about authorship, creative integrity, and the treatment of human talent. Critics argue that dismissing a seasoned writer in favor of a language model may undermine the nuanced storytelling that players expect, whereas proponents contend that AI can serve as a valuable assistant, handling repetitive or low‑level writing tasks while freeing human writers to focus on higher‑level design. For players and consumers, the key takeaway is that the final product may contain a blend of human‑crafted and AI‑generated content.
Saber Interactive has pledged to keep the Steam page updated as the development process evolves, ensuring that players are aware of any AI contributions before they make a purchase. This level of openness is becoming more common as regulatory bodies and consumer advocacy groups push for clearer labeling of AI‑assisted media. In summary, Saber Interactive's decision to place an AI disclaimer on Rideshare Simulator's Steam listing follows a public dispute involving former lead writer Stella Sacco, who alleged she was replaced by a language model. CEO Matt Karch apologized for his earlier comments, acknowledged his impulsive reaction, and affirmed the company's ongoing use of AI as a consumer benefit.
The incident underscores the growing conversation around AI's role in game development and the importance of transparency for both creators and players.