Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal AI usage disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the company had replaced a human writer with artificial‑intelligence‑generated text. The notice, now visible to anyone browsing the game’s page, is intended to clarify the studio’s stance on AI and to address the accusations that a key member of the development team was dismissed in favor of a language model. The full text 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.
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 CEO’s remarks did not stop there. In an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Matt Karch appeared visibly defensive, saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that Saber had already been transparent about employing AI for certain aspects 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 to consumers," he added. The situation escalated when Stella Sacco took to the social network BlueSky over the weekend to share her perspective. She wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." Sacco emphasized that she had stood by her account from the beginning, insisting that the truth of her claims had now been corroborated by the public record.
"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," she posted. Karch later issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, attempting to contextualise his earlier reaction. "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 controversy touches on several broader themes that are currently reshaping the video‑game industry. First, the use of AI‑generated content—whether for dialogue, narrative design, or marketing copy—has become increasingly common as studios look for ways to cut costs and accelerate production timelines.
However, the practice raises ethical questions about transparency, authorship, and the treatment of creative staff. When a writer alleges that they were removed from a project and supplanted by a machine, the issue becomes not merely a matter of internal staffing decisions but a public debate about the value placed on human creativity versus algorithmic efficiency.
Second, the episode highlights the delicate nature of employer‑employee communication in the age of social media. Sacco’s decision to voice her concerns on a public platform forced the company to respond in real time, and Karch’s initial defensive posture—characterised by the memorable "Stella who?" remark—did little to quell the backlash. His later apology, framed as a personal lapse rather than an institutional acknowledgement, suggests a recognition that the court of public opinion can be unforgiving when corporate leaders appear to dismiss or diminish the experiences of their staff. From a consumer standpoint, the AI disclaimer may actually serve as a selling point for some players.
The studio has positioned the technology as a "plus for consumers," implying that AI can enhance gameplay, streamline content updates, or provide more dynamic interactions within the simulation. For a lower‑priced title like Rideshare Simulator, which aims to capture the everyday experience of driving for a ridesharing service, the promise of frequent, AI‑driven content patches could keep the experience fresh without requiring large post‑launch development teams. Nevertheless, the controversy also underscores the importance of clear, proactive communication.
By adding the disclaimer after the fact, Saber Interactive appears to be reacting rather than leading. Industry analysts suggest that studios intending to integrate AI should disclose its role early in the development cycle, outline the specific functions it will perform, and ensure that any human contributors are credited appropriately. Such transparency can mitigate misunderstandings and preserve trust among both employees and the gaming community.
In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI usage notice on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator reflects an attempt to address a growing public concern about the replacement of human writers with artificial intelligence. CEO Matt Karch’s subsequent apology to former writer Stella Sacco, delivered via both BlueSky and LinkedIn, acknowledges a misstep in his initial reaction to the allegations. While the studio frames AI as a consumer benefit, the episode serves as a reminder that the integration of machine‑generated content must be handled with openness, respect for creative talent, and a willingness to engage constructively with criticism.
As the industry continues to experiment with AI tools, the Saber case will likely be cited as a cautionary example of how not to manage the intersection of technology, personnel, and public perception.