Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store listing for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, by adding a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. The move comes after a heated public dispute involving the studio’s chief executive, Matt Karch, and a former writer, Stella Sacco, who claims she was dismissed from the project and replaced with content generated by ChatGPT. In the wake of the controversy, Karch has issued a public apology and attempted to clarify the studio’s stance on AI, while also acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding drama.
The newly posted AI disclaimer 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." By inserting this notice, Saber hopes to provide transparency for players and stakeholders who may be concerned about the extent to which machine‑generated text and assets have been incorporated into the final product. According to the original statements released by Karch, Sacco was employed at Saber for roughly a year before her role on Rideshare Simulator was terminated. Karch claimed that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added a candid after‑thought: "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This remark sparked outrage among industry observers, many of whom view the comment as a dismissive stance toward human writers and a potential devaluation of creative labor. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch tried to distance himself from Sacco, stating, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He further explained that the studio had already disclosed its intention to use AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature set was finalized. Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, saying, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers." His remarks suggested that the studio sees AI not merely as a cost‑saving measure but as a value‑adding tool for a budget‑friendly product. The dispute took a more personal turn when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend. In her message, she wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She added, "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 indicated that while she was willing to accept the apology, she remained uncertain about the concrete steps the studio would take to address her grievances. Karch later posted a separate comment on LinkedIn, attempting to explain his emotional response.
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 pressure and rapid reaction that can occur when public criticism erupts on social media, especially in a highly visible industry like video games.
The controversy raises several broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries. On one hand, developers argue that AI tools can accelerate production, reduce costs, and enable smaller studios to deliver polished experiences without the massive budgets traditionally required.
On the other hand, critics warn that overreliance on AI could marginalize human talent, erode the quality of storytelling, and create ethical dilemmas around authorship and credit. For Saber Interactive, the situation is a delicate balancing act.
The studio must maintain trust with its community while navigating the evolving legal and ethical landscape surrounding AI‑generated content. By adding the disclaimer, Saber signals a willingness to be transparent, yet the language of the notice—particularly the reference to Sacco’s alleged replacement—has already drawn scrutiny. Observers will be watching to see whether the final version of Rideshare Simulator includes a clear attribution of AI‑generated assets and whether the studio implements any policies to protect writers and artists from abrupt termination in favor of automated solutions. Industry analysts also point out that this incident could set a precedent for how other studios handle similar disputes.
If players begin to demand more explicit labeling of AI content, platforms like Steam may eventually require standardized disclosures. Moreover, labor unions and writers’ guilds are likely to use this case as a rallying point for stronger protections against the substitution of human creators with algorithms. In the meantime, the immediate impact on Rideshare Simulator’s development timeline appears minimal.
The game, marketed as an affordable simulation of ride‑hailing services, continues to be built with a mix of traditional design practices and selective AI assistance. Whether the AI components will be limited to dialogue generation, procedural environment creation, or other aspects remains to be clarified in future updates. Overall, the saga underscores the human element behind technological advancement. Matt Karch’s candid acknowledgment of his impulsive reaction—"shot first and thought second"—offers a reminder that even executives are susceptible to emotional missteps when faced with criticism.
His subsequent apology, while welcomed by some, will need to be backed by tangible actions if Saber Interactive hopes to restore confidence among its staff, its audience, and the broader gaming community. As the industry continues to experiment with AI, the balance between efficiency and artistic integrity will likely remain a contentious topic.
For now, Saber Interactive’s AI disclaimer and the public exchange between Karch and Sacco serve as a case study in how quickly a dispute can evolve from internal personnel changes to a public dialogue about the future of creative work in video games.