Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam storefront 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 debate sparked by accusations that the studio had dismissed a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by AI tools.
The controversy has drawn considerable attention from both the gaming community and industry observers, prompting the company to address the concerns publicly. The full text of the new AI disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements from Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024.
Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project midway through its production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during development.
In light of these claims, Saber Interactive wishes to be transparent about its use of AI in the creation of this title." By posting this notice, Saber aims to provide gamers with a straightforward understanding of how much of the game's narrative, dialogue, and other textual elements may have been generated or assisted by machine‑learning models. The background of the dispute centers on a series of statements made by Matt Karch, the company's chief executive officer.
In an interview with the online series This Week In Videogames, Karch addressed the allegations raised by Sacco, describing her departure as a personnel decision unrelated to AI. He claimed 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's remarks were widely interpreted as both dismissive of Sacco's contributions and indicative of a willingness to rely on automated writing tools when convenient. When pressed for clarification, Karch admitted that he had never actually met or spoken with Sacco. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said during the interview, referencing Claude, an AI chatbot, as his source of information. He went on to explain that the studio was already employing AI for certain aspects of the game and that a more detailed explanation would be added to the Steam page once the feature set was finalized.
"We view our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a benefit for consumers," Karch asserted, suggesting that the technology could lower production costs and potentially result in a more affordable product for players. The situation escalated when Sacco took to the social networking platform BlueSky over the weekend to share her perspective.
In her post, she wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She emphasized that she had remained steadfast from the beginning, insisting that her account of events was truthful. "I think we can all now agree that it has been borne out," she added, indicating that subsequent evidence seemed to support her claims. Sacco also noted that Karch expressed a desire to "make it right" with her, though she was uncertain what concrete steps that might involve.
"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," she wrote. In a separate public statement posted on LinkedIn, Karch offered a more personal reflection on his reaction to the controversy. He confessed, "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." By acknowledging his impulsive response, Karch attempted to humanize his error, stating, "It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." This admission was meant to signal a willingness to correct the missteps and rebuild trust with both the former writer and the broader community.
The broader implications of this dispute touch on several hot topics within the video‑game industry. First, the increasing reliance on AI for content creation raises questions about authorship, compensation, and the ethical treatment of creative professionals. While AI can accelerate production and reduce costs, it also threatens to marginalize human writers, especially when studios substitute human labor with algorithms without transparent communication.
Second, the incident highlights the importance of clear corporate communication policies. Karch's initial dismissive remarks, followed by a reactive apology, illustrate how quickly public perception can shift when leaders fail to address concerns thoughtfully and promptly. Industry analysts have weighed in, noting that the use of AI in narrative design is not inherently problematic, but it must be managed responsibly.
Transparency with players, proper credit to human contributors, and fair employment practices are essential to maintaining credibility. Some commentators suggest that studios could adopt hybrid models, where AI assists writers rather than replaces them, preserving the creative nuance that only a human can provide while still benefiting from the efficiency gains of machine‑generated text.
For gamers, the key takeaway is that the upcoming Rideshare Simulator may contain a blend of human‑crafted and AI‑generated content. The Steam disclaimer now serves as a point of reference for those who wish to understand the composition of the game's storyline, mission briefings, and in‑game dialogue. Players who value authentic, human‑written narratives may choose to wait for further clarification, while others might appreciate the potential cost savings that could translate into a lower purchase price. In summary, Saber Interactive's decision to add an AI disclaimer to the Steam page reflects an effort to address a controversy sparked by the alleged replacement of writer Stella Sacco with ChatGPT and other AI tools.
CEO Matt Karch's public apologies and admissions of impulsive behavior demonstrate an attempt to mend relationships and restore confidence. The episode underscores the delicate balance studios must strike between leveraging emerging technologies and honoring the contributions of their human creative staff. As the industry continues to explore AI's role, transparency and ethical considerations will remain paramount in shaping both public perception and the future of game development.