Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store listing for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy erupted surrounding allegations that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game's page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current use of AI tools and to address the concerns raised by former employees and the broader gaming community. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "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." The background to this statement dates back to early 2024, when Stella Sacco, a narrative designer and lead writer for Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that she had been taken off the project before its completion and that her responsibilities were subsequently handed over to an AI language model, specifically ChatGPT.
Sacco’s allegations also hinted at additional, undisclosed AI‑assisted processes being employed throughout the game's development pipeline, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and the ethical treatment of creative staff. In the wake of these accusations, Matt Karch, the chief executive officer of Saber Interactive, issued a response that both defended the studio’s decisions and hinted at a willingness to reconsider the role of AI in future projects.
Karch asserted that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This remark was interpreted by many observers as an admission that the company was open to using AI as a substitute for human talent, a stance that sparked further debate within the industry about the balance between efficiency and creative integrity. During an interview with the podcast "This Week In Videogames," Karch elaborated on his limited personal interaction with Sacco, stating, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that Saber had already announced the use of AI for certain aspects of the game and that a more detailed update would appear on the Steam page once the feature set was finalized. According to Karch, the incorporation of AI in a lower‑priced title like Rideshare Simulator would ultimately be a benefit for consumers, suggesting cost savings could be passed on to players.
The controversy continued to unfold on social media. Over the weekend, Sacco posted on the BlueSky platform, noting 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." Karch also took to LinkedIn to offer a more personal explanation for his earlier remarks.
In a public comment, he admitted, "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 candid admission was met with mixed reactions; some praised the CEO for acknowledging his impulsive reaction, while others felt the apology fell short of addressing the underlying issue of AI replacing human writers.
The incident has ignited a broader conversation within the gaming industry about the ethical implications of substituting creative professionals with machine‑generated content. Advocates for writers argue that narrative design is a deeply human craft, involving empathy, cultural nuance, and lived experience—qualities that current AI models cannot fully replicate. Critics of AI adoption warn that over‑reliance on automated tools could erode job security for writers, lead to homogenized storytelling, and diminish the unique voice that individual creators bring to a project.
Conversely, supporters of AI integration point to the potential for increased productivity, faster iteration cycles, and the ability to generate large volumes of placeholder text or procedural dialogue that can later be refined by human editors. They argue that when used responsibly, AI can serve as a powerful assistant rather than a replacement, allowing writers to focus on higher‑level creative decisions. In response to the public outcry, Saber Interactive has pledged to be more transparent about its AI usage moving forward.
The company plans to publish detailed documentation on which aspects of Rideshare Simulator are AI‑assisted, ranging from in‑game signage to optional dialogue branches. They also indicated that any future AI deployment will be accompanied by clear attribution, ensuring that players are aware of which content was generated by algorithms versus human creators. The episode serves as a cautionary tale for other studios navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology. It underscores the importance of clear communication, respectful treatment of staff, and the need for industry‑wide standards that balance innovation with the preservation of creative labor.
As AI continues to mature, the dialogue between developers, writers, and players will likely shape the policies and practices that define the next generation of video games. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an attempt to address concerns raised by former writer Stella Sacco and the gaming community at large.
CEO Matt Karch’s public apology and acknowledgment of his impulsive response illustrate the human side of corporate decision‑making, while the ongoing debate highlights the complex ethical terrain surrounding AI in creative industries. The studio’s future actions—particularly regarding transparency and collaboration with human talent—will be closely watched as the industry grapples with the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence.