Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's creation. The move comes after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by AI tools. In this expanded account, we will outline the timeline of events, the statements made by the parties involved, and the broader context surrounding AI usage in game development, while preserving the core facts of the original story.
The controversy began when former Saber employee Stella Sacco, who was employed as a writer on Rideshare Simulator from July 2023 until July 2024, publicly alleged that she was removed from the project midway through its development cycle. According to Sacco, her departure was not a standard personnel decision; instead, the studio allegedly replaced her responsibilities with output from the language model ChatGPT. Sacco also suggested that the company had employed additional, undisclosed AI tools for other aspects of the game, raising questions about transparency and the ethical treatment of creative staff.
In response to these accusations, Saber Interactive’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a series of remarks that both defended the studio’s actions and hinted at a willingness to incorporate AI in a controlled manner. Karch claimed that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that, looking back, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI if the circumstances had warranted it. He further emphasized that the company had already been using AI for certain components 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 made a striking comment: "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." This remark underscored his apparent unfamiliarity with the former writer and suggested a disconnect between management and the creative staff. Karch also framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, stating, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers." The implication was that AI could help keep costs down, allowing the final product to be offered at a more accessible price point. The situation escalated on the social networking platform BlueSky, where Sacco posted a message indicating 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 both her insistence on the veracity of her claims and her tentative acceptance of the CEO’s overture, while also acknowledging that the path to reconciliation remained unclear. Karch later posted a separate, more personal reflection on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional response 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 framed his earlier, more defensive statements as an impulsive reaction rather than a measured corporate position, and it served as a public attempt to mend his reputation. In the wake of these exchanges, Saber Interactive added the AI disclaimer to the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator.
The full text of the notice reads: "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 disclaimer serves both as an acknowledgment of past statements and as a proactive measure to inform potential buyers about the role AI played in the game's creation. The broader industry context cannot be ignored. Over the past few years, many game studios have experimented with AI-generated assets, ranging from procedural level design to narrative dialogue.
While these technologies can accelerate production and reduce costs, they also raise concerns about labor displacement, intellectual property rights, and the authenticity of creative work. Critics argue that replacing human writers with language models undermines the nuanced storytelling that players expect, whereas proponents contend that AI can handle repetitive or boilerplate tasks, freeing human creators to focus on higher‑level design. Saber Interactive’s handling of the situation illustrates the growing pains of integrating AI into a traditionally human‑centric craft. The company's decision to publicly label the use of AI on a lower‑priced title suggests a strategic calculus: by positioning AI as a cost‑saving measure, they aim to justify a lower retail price while also managing community expectations.
However, the backlash from Sacco and the subsequent apology from Karch demonstrate that transparency and respectful treatment of staff remain essential, regardless of the technological tools employed. In summary, the episode surrounding Rideshare Simulator highlights a clash between emerging AI capabilities and established workplace norms in the gaming sector.
Saber Interactive responded by adding an explicit AI disclaimer to its Steam listing, acknowledging the controversy sparked by former writer Stella Sacco’s allegations. CEO Matt Karch publicly apologized for his earlier remarks, admitted to an impulsive reaction, and expressed a desire to make amends. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for other developers navigating the balance between innovation, cost efficiency, and the human element that lies at the heart of compelling game narratives.