Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit AI usage disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the company had sidelined a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s approach to artificial intelligence tools and to address the accusations that had been circulating online. The full text of the new disclosure reads as follows: "This update follows recent comments made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Sacco has alleged that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed uses of AI throughout the game's creation.
In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as more talented and that her employment was terminated for a range of reasons a few months later.
He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI. "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames. "We have already stated that we are employing AI for certain aspects of the game and will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalized." "We view our use of AI in this particular, lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers." In a recent post on the BlueSky social platform, Sacco wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "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 added a public comment on LinkedIn, stating, "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 controversy began when former writer Stella Sacco, who joined Saber Interactive in mid‑2023 as the lead narrative designer for Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that her role was abruptly terminated and that the studio had turned to ChatGPT to generate in‑game dialogue, marketing copy, and possibly other design documents. Sacco’s allegations resonated with a broader industry conversation about the ethical implications of replacing human creativity with generative AI, especially in a medium where storytelling and player immersion are paramount.
Saber Interactive, known for its work on titles such as "The Suffering" and the "Mafia" series, has historically emphasized a hands‑on, craft‑driven development philosophy. The suggestion that a major project could be partially authored by a language model therefore sparked a debate among fans, journalists, and fellow developers. Critics argued that reliance on AI could undermine the authenticity of the game's narrative voice, while supporters pointed out that AI tools can accelerate content creation when used responsibly. CEO Matt Karch’s initial reaction to the accusations was defensive.
In a televised interview with This Week In Videogames, he appeared skeptical of Sacco’s claims, questioning whether she had ever actually interacted with the team. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referencing the AI model Claude as a tongue‑in‑cheek way of highlighting his unfamiliarity with the writer. He also emphasized that the studio had already disclosed its intention to incorporate AI for specific, non‑narrative functions, such as procedural generation of traffic patterns and optimization of vehicle physics, and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature list was settled. However, as the story gained traction on social media platforms like Twitter, Reddit, and BlueSky, the pressure mounted.
Sacco’s BlueSky post, which included a screenshot of an internal email thread, suggested that internal communications had indeed referenced AI tools being used to replace her work. The post also indicated that Karch had reached out privately to offer an apology, acknowledging that his public statements had been "awful" and that he regretted the manner in which he had addressed the issue. In a subsequent LinkedIn post, Karch admitted that he had been "triggered" by later comments—though he chose not to elaborate on what those comments were—leading him to react impulsively. "I shot first and thought second," he wrote, attempting to frame his response as a human error rather than a calculated corporate decision.
He concluded by stating that he had taken steps to "rectify" the situation, though he did not detail the specific actions taken beyond the public disclaimer. The addition of the AI disclaimer on Steam serves multiple purposes.
First, it provides transparency to consumers who may be concerned about the extent to which AI influences the game's content. Second, it acts as a defensive measure for the studio, documenting that they have acknowledged the controversy and are making an effort to be open about their development practices.
Finally, it may help mitigate potential legal or reputational risks by establishing a clear record of the company's stance on AI usage. From an industry perspective, this episode highlights the growing pains associated with integrating generative AI into creative pipelines. While AI can assist with repetitive tasks, data analysis, and even draft writing, the line between assistance and substitution remains blurry.
Developers must navigate contractual obligations, copyright considerations, and the expectations of both their workforce and their audience. For writers like Sacco, the situation underscores the importance of clear communication and contractual safeguards when AI tools are introduced. Many unions and guilds are now drafting guidelines to ensure that human creators retain credit, compensation, and agency over their work, even when AI is employed as a supplementary tool.
Looking ahead, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will continue to use AI in certain technical aspects of Rideshare Simulator—such as optimizing traffic flow algorithms and generating procedural cityscapes—but it has pledged to keep narrative elements under the stewardship of human writers. The company plans to release an updated development roadmap later this quarter, which will outline the specific AI features slated for inclusion and the safeguards in place to protect creative integrity.
In summary, the controversy surrounding Rideshare Simulator has prompted Saber Interactive to publicly acknowledge its AI usage, issue an apology through its CEO, and commit to greater transparency. The episode serves as a cautionary tale for studios navigating the balance between innovation and respect for human talent, reminding the industry that while AI can be a powerful ally, it must be wielded with careful consideration of ethical, legal, and artistic implications.