Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game's product listing, is intended to clarify the studio’s current stance on AI usage and to address the controversy that has surrounded the development process. The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024.
Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project partway through its development cycle and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed applications of AI throughout the game's creation." In his public statements, Karch countered Sacco’s allegations by saying that she was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added that "in hindsight I would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI if the situation called for it." He further elaborated in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, noting, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or even seen her in person.
We have already announced that we are employing AI for certain aspects of the game, and we will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalized." Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, stating, "We view our incorporation of AI in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as a positive addition for players." The dispute escalated on social media when Sacco posted on the BlueSky platform over the weekend, writing that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the terrible way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "I have stood firm from the beginning that my account is truthful; it now appears that the facts have been corroborated. Matt expressed a desire to make amends with me.
At this point I’m not entirely sure what that will look like, and I need some time to process it, but I do accept his apology." Karch later issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own 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 the situation." The incident highlights a broader industry conversation about the role of AI in creative fields, especially in video game development where narrative, dialogue, and marketing copy have traditionally been crafted by human writers.
Many developers argue that AI can accelerate production, generate variations quickly, and reduce costs, while critics warn that reliance on machine‑generated text may diminish the quality of storytelling and undermine the contributions of professional writers. For Saber Interactive, the controversy has forced the studio to be more transparent about its internal processes.
By adding the disclaimer, the company is signaling to its community that it acknowledges the concerns raised and is willing to disclose the extent of AI integration. This move may also serve as a pre‑emptive measure against potential backlash from players who value authentic, human‑crafted content.
The timeline of events is worth summarizing for clarity. Stella Sacco joined Saber in July 2023 and was assigned to work on the narrative and copy for Rideshare Simulator.
According to her statements, she was removed from the project midway through development—approximately early 2024—and her responsibilities were handed over to an AI system, specifically ChatGPT. Sacco further alleged that other, yet‑unannounced AI tools were employed throughout the game's production, though she did not specify which aspects were affected. In response, Karch initially defended the decision by emphasizing the talent of the replacement and the eventual termination of the new hire for unrelated reasons. He later softened his tone, acknowledging that the situation could have been handled more thoughtfully and that his immediate reaction was driven by emotion rather than measured judgment.
His LinkedIn post serves as a rare public admission of fault, a move that is uncommon among high‑profile CEOs in the gaming industry. The broader implications for the gaming community are significant.
Players who invest in titles like Rideshare Simulator often do so with expectations of a certain level of craftsmanship, especially in narrative-driven experiences. When a studio hints that AI may have been used to replace a human writer, it raises questions about authenticity, creativity, and the value of the final product. Some gamers may view AI assistance as a neutral or even beneficial tool, while others may feel that it cheapens the artistic effort. Industry analysts suggest that this episode could prompt other developers to adopt clearer policies regarding AI usage.
Transparency, they argue, will become a competitive advantage as consumers become more discerning about the origins of the content they consume. Companies might start publishing detailed AI disclosure statements, similar to ingredient lists on food packaging, to assure players that they are informed about the creative process. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator is a direct response to a public dispute involving former writer Stella Sacco and CEO Matt Karch.
The controversy has sparked a broader dialogue about the ethical and practical considerations of AI in game development. While Karch has offered an apology and acknowledged his impulsive reaction, the studio now faces the challenge of rebuilding trust with its audience by being forthright about how AI tools are employed in its projects. The outcome of this situation may well influence how other studios approach AI transparency moving forward.