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 public dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a key writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s current and future use of AI tools in the development process and to address the allegations that had been circulating online.
The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows 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 has publicly asserted that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project part‑way through its development cycle and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, an AI language model.
She also alleged that additional, undisclosed AI technologies were employed in other aspects of the game’s creation." In a series of interviews and social‑media posts, Karch responded to Sacco’s accusations by saying that the writer was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and that, in hindsight, he "would have been happy to replace her with AI." He went on to claim that he had never actually met Sacco in person. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames, referencing the AI assistant Claude as a tongue‑in‑cheek way of underscoring his unfamiliarity with the former employee. Karch also emphasized that the studio had already been transparent about using AI for specific components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature list was finalized. "We view our use of AI in this particular title, which will be a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit for consumers," he said, framing the technology as a value‑adding element rather than a cost‑cutting measure.
The controversy reached a new peak over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social‑networking 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, for his part, issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his emotional reaction to the unfolding situation. "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 incident highlights a broader industry debate about the ethical and practical implications of integrating AI into creative workflows. As large language models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and others become increasingly capable of generating high‑quality prose, dialogue, and even code, studios are grappling with questions about authorship, compensation, and the future role of human writers.
Critics argue that replacing a seasoned writer with an AI system can erode the nuanced storytelling that comes from lived experience and artistic intuition. Proponents, on the other hand, claim that AI can accelerate production, reduce costs, and assist writers by handling repetitive or data‑heavy tasks, leaving human creators free to focus on higher‑level creative decisions. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game is positioned as a more affordable title within Saber’s portfolio, which may have influenced the decision to experiment with AI tools.
The company has suggested that the use of AI will be limited to specific, perhaps procedural, elements of the game—such as generating in‑game dialogue snippets, tutorial text, or marketing copy—while core narrative design remains under human supervision. The public apology from Karch, while a step toward reconciliation, also raises questions about accountability and the processes that led to the alleged dismissal of Sacco. Employees and industry observers are watching closely to see whether Saber will implement clearer policies regarding AI usage, transparent credit attribution, and safeguards against abrupt personnel changes.
In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive announced that it would convene an internal review panel to assess its AI integration strategy, ensure compliance with labor standards, and develop a set of best‑practice guidelines for future projects. The studio also pledged to provide additional training for its staff on how to collaborate effectively with AI tools, aiming to strike a balance between technological efficiency and respect for creative talent. The broader conversation extends beyond Saber Interactive to the entire video‑game sector, where major publishers and indie developers alike are experimenting with AI for asset creation, narrative generation, and even player‑behavior modeling.
Regulatory bodies in several jurisdictions are beginning to examine whether existing labor laws adequately cover AI‑augmented work environments, and some unions are advocating for explicit AI‑usage clauses in employment contracts. As of now, the Steam disclaimer remains in place, and the game continues to be available for purchase. Whether the added transparency will satisfy consumers and industry peers remains to be seen, but the episode serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of clear communication, ethical AI deployment, and the human cost that can arise when technological innovation outpaces policy and cultural readiness. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to publicly acknowledge its AI practices, coupled with CEO Matt Karch’s heartfelt apology to former writer Stella Sacco, reflects an evolving understanding of how artificial intelligence intersects with creative labor.
The incident underscores the need for robust, transparent frameworks that protect both the integrity of artistic work and the rights of the individuals who bring those visions to life.