Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an 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 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 stance on AI and to address the allegations that a human author was replaced by a machine during development. The full wording of the 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." According to the statement, Sacco claimed she was taken off the project part‑way through its creation and that her responsibilities were handed over to the language model ChatGPT.
She also suggested that additional, undisclosed AI tools had been employed throughout the making of the game. In reaction, Karch offered a contrasting narrative, asserting that Sacco "was replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and adding, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch further elaborated on his lack of personal interaction with Sacco. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referencing the AI assistant Claude. He continued, "We have already said we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalised the feature set." Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, especially given that Rideshare Simulator is positioned as 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 explained, implying that AI could help keep costs down while maintaining quality. The controversy spilled over onto social media platforms.
Over the weekend, Sacco posted on BlueSky, a newer micro‑blogging service, indicating 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 incident highlights several broader industry trends. First, the integration of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models into game development pipelines is becoming increasingly common. Studios are using these systems for everything from generating dialogue and quest text to creating marketing copy and even assisting with code. While AI can accelerate production and reduce costs, it also raises questions about authorship, intellectual property, and the treatment of human creatives.
Second, the episode underscores the delicate balance between transparency and competitive advantage. When a company publicly acknowledges AI usage, it may attract scrutiny from both fans and regulators, especially if the AI is perceived to replace human labor.
Conversely, failing to disclose AI involvement can lead to accusations of deception, as seen in this case. Third, the personal dynamics between executives and staff members are under the microscope. Karch’s admission that he "shot first and thought second" suggests a reactive, perhaps defensive posture that many leaders face when confronted with criticism.
His willingness to apologize publicly, albeit after a delay, may be seen as a step toward rebuilding trust, but the lingering uncertainty about concrete reparations for Sacco leaves the situation unresolved. From a consumer perspective, the disclaimer may influence purchasing decisions. Players who value handcrafted narrative experiences might be wary of AI‑generated content, fearing a loss of nuance or emotional depth.
Others may welcome the potential for lower prices and faster updates that AI can enable. The ultimate impact will likely depend on how effectively Saber integrates AI while preserving the human touch that many gamers appreciate. Looking ahead, the gaming industry is likely to develop clearer guidelines around AI usage. Professional guilds, unions, and even governmental bodies are beginning to explore policies that protect writers, artists, and programmers from being arbitrarily replaced by algorithms.
In the meantime, studios like Saber Interactive will need to navigate public perception, internal morale, and the practical benefits of AI technology. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator’s Steam page is a direct response to a controversy involving former writer Stella Sacco’s claims that she was supplanted by ChatGPT. CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized for his earlier remarks, acknowledged his impulsive reaction, and expressed a desire to make amends, though the specifics remain unclear. The episode serves as a case study in the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and creative labor within the video game sector, highlighting the need for transparency, respectful communication, and thoughtful policy as the technology continues to mature.