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 dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a key writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The new notice 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." The background of the controversy centers on Stella Sacco, a narrative designer who joined Saber Interactive in mid‑2023 to craft the story and dialogue for Rideshare Simulator.
According to Sacco, she was abruptly taken off the project halfway through production and her responsibilities were handed over to an AI language model, specifically ChatGPT. She further alleged that additional, undisclosed AI tools had been employed throughout the game’s creation, raising questions about transparency and the ethical treatment of creative staff.
In a public statement, Matt Karch attempted to clarify the situation. He claimed that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." Karch’s remarks suggested that the decision to use AI was not merely a cost‑cutting measure but, in his view, a strategic choice that could improve efficiency. He also emphasized that the company had already communicated its intention to incorporate AI in certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down.
During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch appeared to downplay his familiarity with Sacco, stating, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." This comment, referencing the AI assistant Claude, further fueled speculation that the CEO was relying on AI to answer questions about a former employee he claimed never existed in his memory. He continued, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers." By framing AI integration as a consumer benefit, Karch tried to shift the narrative from a labor dispute to a value proposition for players. The dispute escalated on the social platform BlueSky, where Sacco posted 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." Sacco's statement highlighted her insistence that the factual record supported her claims and that she was open to a resolution, though she remained uncertain about the specifics of any remedial action. Karch later posted a separate apology on LinkedIn, acknowledging his emotional reaction to the unfolding drama. He wrote, "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.
It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." This admission of impulsivity was meant to humanize his response, suggesting that his initial reaction was driven by frustration rather than a calculated PR strategy.
The broader industry context is worth noting. AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models have become increasingly prevalent in game development, assisting with everything from procedural content generation to marketing copy. However, their use raises complex questions about authorship, compensation, and the future of creative roles.
Critics argue that replacing human writers with AI can undermine the craft of storytelling, while proponents claim that AI can augment human creativity and reduce production costs, especially for smaller-budget titles. Saber Interactive’s decision to add the AI disclaimer reflects a growing trend among developers to be more transparent about the role of machine‑generated content in their products.
Steam, as a major distribution platform, has begun encouraging publishers to disclose AI usage to avoid misleading consumers. By publicly acknowledging the presence of AI, Saber hopes to preempt further backlash and align with emerging best practices. In summary, the controversy surrounding Rideshare Simulator illustrates the tension between traditional creative labor and emerging AI technologies.
Stella Sacco’s allegations, Matt Karch’s mixed messages, and the subsequent public apologies underscore the challenges companies face when navigating this new landscape. As the industry continues to experiment with AI, clear communication and fair treatment of human talent will be essential to maintaining trust among both creators and players.
The added Steam disclaimer serves as a tangible step toward that transparency, even as the conversation about AI’s place in game development remains far from settled.