Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism 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, acknowledges the use of AI tools in certain aspects of the project and promises further updates once the development team finalises the exact features that rely on machine‑learning assistance. The controversy began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024, went public with allegations that she was removed from the Rideshare development pipeline midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT. Sacco also hinted at broader, undisclosed applications of AI throughout the game's creation, suggesting that the studio might have been relying on automated content generation more extensively than it had admitted.
In a series of public statements, Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, responded to the accusations. He claimed that Sacco was "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." Karch’s comments were recorded during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he further confessed 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," Karch said, referencing the AI chatbot Claude as a source of information about the former writer.
Karch also defended the studio’s overall approach to artificial intelligence, describing it as a consumer benefit, especially for a lower‑priced title like Rideshare Simulator. "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers," he explained, suggesting that the cost savings and efficiency gains from AI could translate into a better price point for players. The situation escalated further when Sacco posted on the social platform 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 public comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding drama. "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 addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page marks a concrete step toward transparency.
The statement reads: "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 response, Karch stated that Sacco was 'replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later,' and added that 'in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI.'" Industry observers note that the case highlights a broader tension within video‑game development: the balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and maintaining fair labor practices for creative staff. While AI can accelerate tasks such as dialogue generation, environmental description, and even basic programming, many creators fear that reliance on automated tools could marginalise human writers, artists, and designers who bring nuanced storytelling and cultural context to a project.
Legal experts also point out that the use of AI in commercial products raises questions about intellectual‑property ownership and disclosure obligations. In some jurisdictions, consumers have a right to know when content is generated by non‑human means, especially if it affects the perceived authenticity of the experience. By placing a disclaimer on the Steam store page, Saber appears to be pre‑emptively addressing potential regulatory scrutiny and consumer backlash. From a public‑relations perspective, Karch’s admission that he "shot first and thought second" serves as a rare moment of candour from a tech executive.
It acknowledges the emotional intensity that can accompany rapid, public criticism on social media platforms, while also signalling an intention to correct the missteps. Whether this apology will translate into concrete actions—such as reinstating Sacco’s contributions, offering compensation, or establishing clearer AI‑usage policies—remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, the gaming community continues to debate the ethical implications. Some players applaud Saber’s willingness to be transparent about AI involvement, arguing that honesty builds trust. Others remain skeptical, viewing the disclaimer as a reactive measure rather than a proactive commitment to responsible AI integration. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to add an AI usage disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator’s Steam page reflects an effort to address mounting concerns over the replacement of a human writer with ChatGPT and the broader, previously undisclosed employment of AI in the game’s development.
CEO Matt Karch’s public apology and his acknowledgment of an impulsive response illustrate the challenges companies face when navigating the intersection of emerging technology, employee relations, and public accountability. The episode underscores the importance of clear communication, ethical AI practices, and respectful treatment of creative talent in an industry that is increasingly turning to machine‑learning tools to augment, but not replace, human ingenuity.