Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now sits prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s current use of 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 recent statements from Saber Interactive’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, concerning former writer Stella Sacco.
Ms. Sacco was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024 and alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and subsequently replaced by content produced by ChatGPT. She also claims that other, as‑yet‑unannounced AI technologies were employed throughout the creation of the game.
In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that "in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI."" The controversy began when former lead writer Stella Sacco publicly asserted that her position on the Rideshare Simulator team had been terminated and that her responsibilities were handed over to an artificial‑intelligence system, specifically OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Sacco’s allegations suggested that the studio had not only substituted her with a machine‑generated writer but also that other aspects of the game’s narrative and dialogue might have been crafted using AI without proper disclosure to the public or the development team.
Matt Karch, the head of Saber Interactive, responded to the accusations in a series of interviews and social‑media posts. In an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch said, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that the company had already been transparent about employing AI for certain components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down.
"We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers," Karch added, framing the technology as a cost‑saving measure that could ultimately improve the player experience. The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social‑media platform BlueSky over the weekend, stating 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 later issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, where he admitted to an emotional reaction that he described as a "triggered" response.
"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 broader gaming community has taken a keen interest in this dispute, as it touches on a growing debate about the role of AI in creative industries. On one side, developers argue that AI can accelerate content creation, reduce costs, and enable smaller studios to produce richer experiences without the need for large writing teams.
On the other side, writers and artists worry that reliance on AI could diminish the value of human creativity, lead to job displacement, and result in homogenized, less nuanced storytelling. Industry analysts note that the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models has surged in recent years across game development, marketing, and customer support. Some studios have begun to label AI‑generated assets clearly, while others remain vague, leading to calls for clearer industry standards and possibly regulatory guidance.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the AI disclaimer now informs potential buyers that certain narrative elements, dialogue, or in‑game text may have been produced with the assistance of artificial‑intelligence systems. The statement also serves as a pre‑emptive measure against further criticism, positioning the studio as transparent and proactive. The fallout from the controversy has prompted discussions about workplace practices at Saber Interactive. Former employees have voiced concerns about communication breakdowns, the handling of personnel changes, and the decision‑making process surrounding AI adoption.
While Karch’s apology appears sincere to some observers, others remain skeptical, noting that the apology came after significant public pressure and media scrutiny. Looking forward, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will continue to integrate AI where it deems appropriate, but it also promises to refine its internal policies to ensure that staff are kept informed about AI usage and that any transitions involving human talent are handled with greater sensitivity. The studio plans to release a detailed post‑mortem after the launch of Rideshare Simulator, which will outline the exact AI tools employed, the scope of their application, and the lessons learned from this episode. For gamers and industry watchers alike, this incident underscores the delicate balance between technological innovation and the human element that has traditionally driven storytelling in video games.
As AI becomes an increasingly common tool in the developer’s toolbox, the need for clear communication, ethical guidelines, and respect for creative professionals will likely become central topics of conversation. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator reflects an attempt to address community concerns and to be transparent about the role of artificial‑intelligence in the game’s production. CEO Matt Karch’s public apology to former writer Stella Sacco acknowledges a misstep in how the situation was handled, while also highlighting the emotional pressures that can arise in high‑stakes creative environments. The episode serves as a case study for the broader industry on how to navigate the integration of AI while maintaining trust with both employees and the gaming audience.