Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. The move comes after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by AI tools. The full wording of the new notice 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 midway through its production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during development." In the wake of these allegations, Karch responded publicly, stating that Sacco "was replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added, "in hindsight I would have been comfortable replacing her work with AI." He further explained his limited personal familiarity with Sacco, saying, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames. Karch emphasized that the studio had already acknowledged the use of AI for specific elements of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature list was locked down. "We view our use of AI in this particular title, which is intended to be a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit to consumers," he continued. This framing suggests that Saber sees AI assistance as a way to keep costs down while delivering a polished experience.
The controversy took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, 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 added a separate comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding situation. "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 episode highlights several broader industry trends.
First, the increasing reliance on AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models for generating in‑game text, marketing copy, and even narrative design is becoming commonplace. Studios often justify this shift by pointing to cost savings, faster iteration cycles, and the ability to produce large volumes of content without overburdening human writers.
However, the practice also raises ethical questions about authorship, credit, and the treatment of creative staff. Second, the dispute underscores the delicate balance between transparency and reputation management.
By adding a disclaimer to the Steam page, Saber appears to be attempting to pre‑empt further backlash and provide a factual anchor for consumers who might be concerned about AI‑generated content. Yet the timing—coming after a public spat—suggests a reactive rather than proactive communication strategy. Third, the personal dynamics between executives and former employees are laid bare.
Karch's admission that he "shot first and thought second" reveals a moment of impulsive reaction that many professionals can relate to, especially when faced with criticism that feels personal. His subsequent apology, both on BlueSky and LinkedIn, demonstrates an effort to repair the relationship, though the exact terms of any remediation remain unclear. From a legal perspective, the situation could also have implications for employment contracts and intellectual property rights.
If a writer's contributions are replaced by AI, questions arise about ownership of the resulting text, the writer's right to attribution, and potential claims of wrongful termination. While no lawsuits have been reported in this case, the scenario serves as a cautionary tale for studios navigating the integration of AI into creative pipelines. For gamers and consumers, the key takeaway is that Rideshare Simulator will contain AI‑assisted elements, particularly in lower‑cost segments of the game.
The developer frames this as a consumer benefit, suggesting that the final product may be more affordable or feature‑rich thanks to the efficiencies AI provides. Players who are sensitive to AI usage in narrative or dialogue may wish to review the updated Steam disclaimer before purchasing. Overall, the episode reflects the growing pains of an industry in transition. As AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, studios must develop clear policies, transparent communication, and fair treatment of human talent to avoid similar controversies.
Saber Interactive's recent actions—adding a disclaimer, issuing public apologies, and acknowledging the role of AI—represent steps toward that goal, though the long‑term impact on the company's reputation and on the broader conversation about AI in game development remains to be seen.