Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. This move comes after a heated dispute that erupted when former staff member Stella Sacco alleged that the company had removed her from the project midway and substituted her contributions with text generated by ChatGPT, as well as hinted at other undisclosed AI‑driven processes throughout the creation of the game.
The full text of the new AI disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive's Chief Executive Officer, Matt Karch, concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms. Sacco claims she was taken off the Rideshare Simulator team during development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by an AI language model.
She also suggested that additional, unannounced AI tools were employed in other aspects of the game's production." In a series of public remarks, Karch attempted to address the accusations. He said that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, "in hindsight I would have been comfortable replacing her work with AI if the situation called for it." The CEO further explained his limited personal familiarity with Sacco, stating, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames.
He reiterated that the studio had already disclosed its intention to employ AI for specific components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, noting, "We view our AI integration in this lower‑priced title as an added value for players." He suggested that the technology could streamline certain design tasks, improve localization, and generate supplemental narrative content without compromising the core gameplay experience.
The controversy took another turn when Sacco posted on the social network BlueSky over the weekend, stating that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "I have been firm from the beginning that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it has 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, in turn, issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding drama. He confessed, "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." The episode highlights a growing tension within the video game industry as studios experiment with AI tools to accelerate production while grappling with ethical considerations and labor concerns. On one side, developers argue that AI can handle repetitive writing tasks, generate placeholder dialogue, and assist with translation, freeing human creators to focus on higher‑level storytelling and design. On the other side, writers and artists worry that reliance on machine‑generated content may erode job security, dilute creative authenticity, and lead to opaque crediting practices. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game itself is positioned as an affordable, niche title that simulates the day‑to‑day operations of a ridesharing driver.
Its gameplay revolves around navigating urban environments, managing passenger expectations, and balancing earnings against expenses. By labeling the project as a "lower priced title," Saber Interactive appears to be signaling that cost‑savings measures—such as AI‑assisted writing—are more acceptable to its target audience, who may prioritize price over premium narrative depth.
Industry observers note that the Steam disclaimer could set a precedent for greater transparency. Some platforms, like the Epic Games Store, have already begun requiring developers to disclose AI usage in marketing materials, while others remain silent. The move by Saber Interactive may be an effort to preempt further criticism and align with emerging best practices.
From a legal standpoint, the dispute also raises questions about employment contracts and intellectual property. If a writer is removed from a project and their contributions are supplanted by AI, issues may arise regarding ownership of the resulting text, attribution, and potential breaches of contract.
While no lawsuit has been filed in this instance, the public exchange suggests that both parties are aware of the reputational stakes involved. The broader conversation about AI in game development is still evolving. Recent advances in large language models have enabled more sophisticated dialogue generation, quest design, and even procedural world‑building. However, the technology is not without flaws: AI can produce incoherent or culturally insensitive content, repeat biases present in training data, and struggle with nuanced character development.
Consequently, many studios adopt a hybrid approach, pairing AI assistance with human oversight to ensure quality and authenticity. In summary, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an attempt to address public concerns after former writer Stella Sacco alleged she was replaced by a machine and that other AI tools were used without disclosure. CEO Matt Karch has apologized for his earlier remarks, admitted to reacting impulsively, and expressed a willingness to make amends.
The incident underscores the delicate balance studios must strike between leveraging cutting‑edge AI capabilities and maintaining transparent, ethical treatment of their creative staff. As the industry continues to navigate these challenges, clear communication and responsible AI practices will likely become essential components of successful game development and publishing.