Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming 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 Steam page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current and future use of AI tools in the development process, and to address concerns raised by former staff and members of the gaming community. The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update reflects recent comments made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project midway through its development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during production. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms.
Sacco was replaced by another individual he deemed more skilled, and that she was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later. He also added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI." The controversy began when Sacco publicly claimed that her position as lead writer on Rideshare Simulator was terminated and that her duties were handed over to an AI system, specifically ChatGPT. She further suggested that the studio had employed additional, undisclosed AI tools throughout the game's creation, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and the ethical implications of AI in narrative design. Matt Karch, the CEO of Saber Interactive, responded to these allegations in a series of interviews and social‑media posts.
In an interview with the 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 company had already been open about using AI for certain aspects of the game and that a more detailed update would be posted on the Steam page once the feature set was finalized. "We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers," Karch added, positioning the technology as a cost‑saving measure that could potentially lower the retail price for players.
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 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 highlighted the rapid pace at which the dispute moved from internal personnel matters to a public debate about AI ethics in game development.
The broader industry context is worth noting. Over the past few years, many game studios have begun experimenting with AI for tasks ranging from procedural content generation to script drafting. While these tools can accelerate production and reduce costs, they also raise questions about the displacement of creative talent, the originality of narrative content, and the need for clear disclosure to consumers.
Critics argue that without transparent communication, players may be misled about the human effort behind a game's story and design. In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive has pledged to be more forthcoming about its AI workflow.
The newly added Steam disclaimer serves as a first step toward that goal, promising future updates that will outline exactly which components of Rideshare Simulator were assisted by AI, and which remain the product of human craftsmanship. The studio also indicated that it will review its internal policies regarding AI usage, aiming to strike a balance between technological efficiency and respect for creative professionals.
From an ethical standpoint, the episode underscores the importance of clear contractual language and mutual expectations between employers and writers. If a studio intends to replace human-authored content with AI, it should be explicitly stated in employment agreements and disclosed to the public, especially when the final product is marketed as a narrative‑driven experience. For players and observers, the controversy serves as a reminder to scrutinize the development credits of games and to ask critical questions about the role of AI in the creative pipeline.
As AI tools become increasingly sophisticated, the line between human and machine‑generated content will continue to blur, making transparency a crucial component of trust between developers and their audiences. In summary, Saber Interactive's decision to add an AI disclaimer to the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator reflects an attempt to address community concerns and to clarify the studio's stance on AI usage.
CEO Matt Karch's public apology to former writer Stella Sacco acknowledges missteps in communication and highlights the emotional intensity of the situation. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the ethical responsibilities of game developers when integrating AI, the rights of writers, and the expectations of gamers who deserve honesty about the creative processes behind the titles they purchase.