Saber Interactive has taken the step of inserting an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer onto the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism erupted over accusations that the company had dismissed a writer on the project in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s current stance on AI tools and to address the controversy that has surrounded the development process. The full wording of the new disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 to July 2024.
Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its development and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed uses of artificial intelligence in the creation of the game." In the wake of these claims, Matt Karch issued a public statement attempting to set the record straight. He said 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 happy to replace her with AI." Karch’s remarks were captured in an interview with the YouTube series This Week In Videogames, where he further explained his lack of personal interaction with the former writer.
"Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referencing the AI chatbot Claude. He continued, "We have already said we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalised the feature set." Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, especially given that Rideshare Simulator is positioned as a lower‑priced title. "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers," he asserted, suggesting that AI could help keep costs down while still delivering a polished experience.
The dispute escalated when Stella Sacco took to the social platform BlueSky over the weekend to share her perspective. In her post, she wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She emphasized that she had stood firm from the beginning, insisting that her account was truthful, and noted that recent developments seemed to confirm her version of events. "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 said. Karch later posted a separate comment on LinkedIn, offering a more personal reflection on his behavior.
"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," he wrote. "It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The incident touches on several broader industry trends.
First, the growing reliance on AI for content creation—ranging from dialogue scripts to marketing copy—has sparked debates about the ethical treatment of human writers and the transparency owed to consumers. While AI can accelerate production and reduce costs, many creators worry that it may be used to sideline experienced talent without proper acknowledgment or compensation. The controversy surrounding Rideshare Simulator illustrates how quickly these concerns can become public when a company appears to replace a human author with a language model. Second, the episode highlights the importance of clear communication from leadership during a crisis.
Karch’s initial remarks, which many perceived as dismissive, were followed by a more conciliatory tone after the backlash grew. His admission that he reacted impulsively—"shot first and thought second"—is a rare moment of vulnerability for a CEO, yet it also underscores the need for measured responses when allegations of unfair labor practices arise.
Third, the situation raises questions about the adequacy of current disclosure practices on digital storefronts like Steam. By adding an AI disclaimer after the fact, Saber Interactive acknowledges that consumers have a right to know when machine‑generated content is part of a product.
However, critics argue that proactive transparency—listing AI involvement from the start—would better serve both the audience and the creators involved. From a legal perspective, the dispute could potentially involve employment law, especially if Sacco’s claims of wrongful termination are substantiated. In many jurisdictions, replacing an employee with an algorithmic system without proper notice or justification may violate contract terms or labor regulations.
While no lawsuits have been filed as of this writing, the public nature of the exchange may encourage other developers to scrutinize their own AI policies. For gamers, the practical impact of the AI usage remains to be seen.
Some players may be indifferent to whether a line of dialogue was penned by a human or generated by ChatGPT, as long as the final experience feels cohesive. Others, particularly those who value narrative craftsmanship, might feel short‑changed if they discover that a key portion of the story was not authored by a seasoned writer. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI usage disclaimer on the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects a reactive attempt to address mounting criticism over alleged writer replacement.
CEO Matt Karch’s public apology and acknowledgment of his impulsive reaction add a human dimension to the corporate fallout, while the broader conversation about AI ethics, transparency, and labor rights continues to evolve across the gaming industry. The outcome of this particular controversy could set a precedent for how studios disclose AI involvement and treat their creative staff moving forward.