Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam listing for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s store page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current and future use of machine‑learning tools in the development process, and to address the accusations that were raised by a former employee. 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 controversy began when Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber Interactive as a lead writer on Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that she had been taken off the project part‑way through its production cycle and that her responsibilities were handed over to an AI language model, specifically ChatGPT.
Sacco also suggested that additional, undisclosed AI tools had been employed in other aspects of the game's creation, such as dialogue generation, quest design, and even some narrative pacing decisions. Her statements quickly spread across industry forums, social media, and gaming news outlets, prompting a heated debate about the ethical boundaries of AI usage in creative roles. Matt Karch, the chief executive officer of Saber Interactive, responded to the allegations in a series of interviews and social‑media posts.
In an interview with the video‑game‑focused podcast "This Week In Videogames," Karch said, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that the studio had already been transparent about employing AI for certain repetitive or data‑driven tasks within the game and that a formal update to the Steam page would be made once the feature set was finalized.
"We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers," he added, framing the technology as a value‑adding component rather than a replacement for human creativity. The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social‑media platform 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 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 apology, while seemingly sincere, raised further questions about the internal processes at Saber Interactive. Industry observers noted that the rapid shift from a human writer to an AI system mid‑development could have significant implications for narrative consistency, character depth, and overall player experience. Some analysts argued that the use of AI might streamline certain aspects of game writing—such as generating filler dialogue or procedural mission descriptions—but warned that it could also lead to a homogenized tone if not carefully supervised by experienced writers.
In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive announced that it would be conducting an internal review of its AI policies and will publish a detailed report outlining how AI tools are integrated into its pipelines. The company emphasized that any AI‑generated content will be clearly labeled and that human oversight will remain a core component of the creative workflow. This move is intended to reassure both the gaming community and industry regulators that the studio is committed to ethical AI practices.
The broader conversation about AI in game development has been gaining momentum over the past few years, with several high‑profile studios experimenting with machine‑learning models to assist with tasks ranging from texture generation to voice synthesis. However, the use of AI to replace a lead writer—a role traditionally associated with storytelling, world‑building, and nuanced character development—remains a contentious topic. Critics argue that while AI can produce grammatically correct sentences, it lacks the lived experience and emotional intuition that human writers bring to the table. Supporters of AI integration point out that tools like ChatGPT can serve as valuable assistants, offering writers quick drafts, alternative phrasing, or even brainstorming ideas that can be refined and humanized later.
They contend that the technology, when used responsibly, can accelerate production timelines and reduce costs, especially for lower‑budget titles where resources are limited. The incident involving Sacco and Karch underscores the importance of clear communication and transparent policies when adopting emerging technologies.
It also highlights the need for companies to establish robust ethical guidelines that protect both employees and consumers from potential misuse or misunderstanding of AI capabilities. As Saber Interactive moves forward, the company has pledged to keep the Steam page updated with any new AI features and to engage with the community through regular Q&A sessions. Whether these steps will restore trust among fans and former staff remains to be seen, but the episode serves as a cautionary tale for the industry at large: the integration of AI into creative processes must be handled with care, respect for human talent, and an unwavering commitment to transparency. In summary, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an attempt to address mounting criticism after allegations that a human writer was ousted in favor of an AI system.
CEO Matt Karch's public apology to former lead writer Stella Sacco acknowledges a misstep in communication, while the studio promises further clarity on its AI usage. The episode has sparked a wider debate about the role of artificial intelligence in game narrative design, emphasizing the need for balanced, ethical approaches that honor both technological innovation and the irreplaceable contributions of human creators.