Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. The move comes after a heated public dispute involving former staff writer Stella Sacco, who claimed she was removed from the project and substituted with content generated by ChatGPT. The controversy sparked a broader conversation about the role of AI in video game creation, prompting the company to be more transparent with its audience. The full text of the new AI 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." By publishing this statement, Saber aims to clarify the timeline of events and the extent to which AI tools were employed during production.
According to the CEO, Matt Karch, the decision to part ways with Sacco was based on performance considerations. He explained, "Stella was replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added a candid reflection: "In retrospect, I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This admission underscores the growing tension between human creativity and machine‑generated content in the industry, especially for projects with tighter budgets and shorter development cycles.
During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch 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 joked, referencing the AI assistant Claude. He went on to confirm that the studio was already planning to integrate AI for specific aspects of the game, stating, "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 intended to be a lower‑priced title.
"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, suggesting that AI could help keep costs down while still delivering a polished experience. The dispute took a more personal turn when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, describing Karch's public statements as "awful" and noting that he had "apologised unreservedly for the 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 responded on LinkedIn with a candid, if somewhat defensive, message. "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 exchange highlights several broader issues facing the gaming sector. First, the ethical considerations of replacing human writers with AI.
While AI can generate large volumes of text quickly, it lacks the lived experience and nuanced storytelling that a seasoned writer brings to a project. Sacco's claim that she was dismissed in favor of a chatbot raises questions about how studios value creative labor and whether cost‑saving measures are being prioritized over artistic integrity. Second, the incident underscores the importance of clear communication with both employees and the gaming community.
By initially denying the extent of AI usage and then scrambling to add a disclaimer after public pressure, Saber Interactive risked damaging its reputation for transparency. The company's later acknowledgment and Karch's apology may help to rebuild trust, but the episode serves as a cautionary tale for other developers navigating the AI frontier. Third, the situation reflects the evolving legal landscape surrounding AI‑generated content.
As copyright law catches up with machine learning, studios must be prepared to address potential claims of authorship, ownership, and compensation. In this context, Sacco's public statements could influence future policy discussions about how AI tools are credited and how displaced workers are treated. From a consumer perspective, the AI disclaimer may actually be reassuring. Players who are concerned about the authenticity of narrative experiences now have a clearer picture of what to expect from Rideshare Simulator.
The studio's positioning of AI as a cost‑saving measure for a budget title could also set a precedent for other indie developers who wish to leverage technology without compromising on quality. In summary, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer to the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue about artificial intelligence in game development.
CEO Matt Karch's public apology to former writer Stella Sacco, coupled with his admission of an impulsive reaction, demonstrates a willingness to address missteps. The incident brings to light critical conversations about the balance between human creativity and machine efficiency, the necessity for transparent communication, and the legal implications of AI‑generated content. As the industry continues to experiment with AI, both developers and players will be watching closely to see how these technologies are integrated responsibly and ethically.