Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current and future use of machine‑learning tools in the creation of in‑game dialogue, marketing copy, and other narrative elements. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update reflects recent statements made by 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 part‑way through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by the language model ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he deemed more qualified and that her employment was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later.
He further acknowledged that, in hindsight, he would have been open to using AI to fill the vacancy. Saber Interactive is committed to transparency regarding its AI usage and will update the Steam page once the final feature set is confirmed." The controversy began when former narrative lead Stella Sacco publicly claimed that she had been ousted from the Rideshare Simulator project and that her duties were handed over to ChatGPT, a widely used generative‑text AI.
Sacco’s allegations also hinted at additional, undisclosed AI‑driven processes being employed throughout the game’s development, raising concerns about the studio’s labor practices and the authenticity of its creative output. Matt Karch, the company’s chief executive, responded in a series of interviews and social‑media posts. He asserted that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." Karch’s comments suggested a pragmatic view of AI as a cost‑saving tool, especially for a lower‑priced title like Rideshare Simulator, which he described as a "plus for consumers" because it could potentially lower the final price of the game. During an episode of the podcast "This Week In Videogames," Karch further elaborated, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," indicating that he had not personally interacted with Sacco during her tenure. He also confirmed that the studio was indeed experimenting with AI for specific aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the AI‑related features were finalized. The dispute took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, 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 also issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, in which he admitted to an emotional reaction that preceded thoughtful consideration.
"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 wrote. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The episode highlights several broader industry trends. First, the growing reliance on AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models for generating narrative content, marketing copy, and even code snippets. While these technologies can accelerate development cycles and reduce costs, they also raise ethical questions about authorship, compensation, and the displacement of human talent.
Second, the incident underscores the importance of transparent communication with both employees and the gaming community when AI is employed in creative pipelines. Failure to disclose AI usage can erode trust and lead to public backlash, as seen in this case. From a legal perspective, the situation touches on potential issues related to employment contracts, intellectual property rights, and the classification of AI‑generated text as a derivative work.
If a writer’s contributions are replaced by an algorithm, questions arise about whether the original writer retains any claim to the resulting content, especially if the AI was trained on their previous work. For consumers, the presence of an AI disclaimer may influence purchasing decisions. Some players appreciate the novelty and cost savings that AI can bring, while others worry about the authenticity and emotional depth of stories crafted by machines.
Saber Interactive’s decision to label the game as a "lower priced title" that benefits from AI could be seen as a strategic move to set expectations and justify the price point. Looking ahead, the gaming industry is likely to see more studios formalizing AI policies, publishing transparency reports, and establishing internal guidelines to balance efficiency with creative integrity.
Companies may adopt hybrid models where AI assists human writers rather than replaces them, ensuring that the final product retains a human touch while leveraging the speed of machine‑generated drafts. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about artificial intelligence in game development. CEO Matt Karch’s public apology to former writer Stella Sacco reflects both personal accountability and the broader challenges companies face when integrating AI into creative workflows.
As the industry continues to navigate these uncharted waters, clear communication, ethical considerations, and a commitment to preserving the role of human creativity will be essential to maintaining player trust and fostering sustainable innovation.