Saber Interactive has now appended an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam listing for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the studio had dismissed a writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The company’s decision to make the notice public follows a series of statements from CEO Matt Karch concerning the departure of former staff member Stella Sacco, who served as the game’s lead writer from July 2023 until July 2024. According to Sacco’s account, she was removed from the project midway through development and her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI.
She also alleged that the studio had employed additional, undisclosed AI tools throughout the creation of the game. In response, Karch initially defended the change, saying that Sacco had been "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." He further claimed that he had never even met Sacco, stating, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." Karch also reiterated that Saber Interactive was already using AI for certain aspects of the title and promised to update the Steam page once the feature set was finalized.
He framed the use of AI as a benefit to consumers, especially because Rideshare Simulator is intended to be a lower‑priced offering. "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers," he said. The controversy intensified when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, noting 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 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 admitted. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The addition of the AI disclaimer on Steam now reads in full: "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.'" The episode raises broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, particularly in narrative‑driven video games where writing, character development, and world‑building have traditionally been human‑centric tasks.
While many developers tout AI as a tool for rapid prototyping, localization, or generating placeholder content, the line between assistance and substitution can become blurred when a studio opts to replace a full‑time writer with a language model. Industry observers note that the ethical considerations extend beyond the immediate workplace dispute. If AI‑generated text is used without clear disclosure, players may feel misled about the authenticity of the story they are experiencing. Moreover, the displacement of creative talent raises concerns about job security in an era where algorithms can produce coherent prose at scale.
In the wake of the controversy, several gaming journalists have called for clearer industry standards regarding AI attribution. Some have suggested that studios should label any AI‑assisted content in their marketing materials, while others argue for a more stringent requirement: a mandatory disclosure on distribution platforms like Steam, similar to the one Saber Interactive has now implemented. For Sacco, the situation remains unresolved.
While she has accepted Karch’s apology, she has not detailed what form restitution might take, whether it involves a financial settlement, a public acknowledgment of her contributions, or an opportunity to return to the project in some capacity. Her statement hints at a desire for a constructive resolution, but also underscores the emotional toll that public disputes can exact on individuals. From a consumer perspective, the added disclaimer may influence purchasing decisions.
Players who value handcrafted narratives might view the reliance on AI as a downgrade, whereas others may appreciate the potential cost savings that could translate into a lower retail price. The debate reflects a broader cultural shift as AI becomes increasingly embedded in entertainment production. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator serves as both a reaction to internal controversy and a public acknowledgment of the growing presence of artificial intelligence in game development.
CEO Matt Karch’s admission of an impulsive response and his subsequent apology illustrate the human side of corporate communication in the digital age. The incident also spotlights ongoing discussions about transparency, ethical use of AI, and the future of creative labor in the gaming industry.