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 creation. The move comes after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by AI tools.
The full text of the new 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." The background to this controversy involves Stella Sacco, a writer who joined Saber Interactive in mid‑2023 and was assigned to the Rideshare Simulator project. According to Sacco, she was abruptly taken off the development team partway through production and her responsibilities were handed over to an AI system—specifically, the language model ChatGPT. In addition to this claim, Sacco alleged that the studio had employed other, undisclosed AI tools during the creation of the game, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and the ethical treatment of creative staff. When the allegations became public, Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded in a series of statements that mixed denial, justification, and a hint of remorse.
He asserted that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This phrasing suggested that the decision to use artificial intelligence was not merely a stop‑gap measure but something the company might have considered even under different circumstances. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch further distanced himself from Sacco, saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." The reference to Claude—another AI assistant—underscored the tone of the interview, where Karch appeared to lean heavily on AI tools even when discussing his own personnel decisions.
He went on to explain that Saber had already announced the use of AI for certain components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature set was finalized. According to Karch, the incorporation of AI into a "lower‑priced title" like Rideshare Simulator should be viewed as a benefit for consumers, implying cost savings that could be passed on to players. The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social network 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 also issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction. He wrote, "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 admission painted a picture of a leader who reacted impulsively to criticism, then attempted to backtrack and make amends.
The broader industry context is worth noting. In recent years, video game developers have increasingly turned to AI for tasks ranging from procedural content generation to marketing copy. While AI can accelerate production and reduce costs, its use raises complex questions about labor practices, intellectual property, and the authenticity of creative work.
Critics argue that replacing human writers with AI undermines the value of storytelling and can lead to a homogenized player experience. Proponents, on the other hand, claim that AI tools are simply another instrument in the developer's toolbox, capable of handling repetitive or data‑driven writing tasks while freeing human creators to focus on higher‑level design.
Saber Interactive's decision to add an explicit AI disclaimer reflects a growing trend toward transparency. Platforms like Steam have begun to require developers to disclose the extent of AI involvement, especially after high‑profile controversies such as the one surrounding the game "Starfield" and its use of AI‑generated textures.
By publicly acknowledging AI usage, Saber hopes to preempt further backlash and reassure consumers that they are being honest about the production process. Nevertheless, the episode has sparked a lively debate among gamers, journalists, and industry analysts.
Some see Karch's apology as a necessary step toward accountability, while others view it as too little, too late. The core issue—whether a writer can be dismissed and replaced by an algorithm without violating labor standards or ethical norms—remains unresolved.
Labor unions and advocacy groups have called for clearer guidelines and stronger protections for creative professionals, arguing that AI should augment rather than replace human talent. In summary, Saber Interactive has taken concrete action by posting an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator, following a public dispute involving former writer Stella Sacco and CEO Matt Karch. Karch's statements have oscillated between justification, self‑critique, and an attempt at reconciliation, culminating in an apology posted on LinkedIn.
The incident highlights the tension between technological innovation and the human element in game development, a conversation that is likely to continue as AI tools become ever more sophisticated and pervasive within the industry.