Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the extent of AI involvement in the project and to address the controversy that has swirled around the company’s development practices. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024.
Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator team midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI tools used during development. In response, Mr. Karch has stated that Ms.
Sacco was replaced by an individual he considered more skilled and that she was terminated for a range of reasons several months later. He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI." The disclaimer continues with a direct quote from Karch during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames: "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said.
"We have already disclosed that we are employing AI for certain elements of the game and will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalized." Karch also framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, noting, "We view our application of AI in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as an added value for players." The controversy gained further momentum when Sacco posted on the social 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 have been firm from the beginning that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it has 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, for his part, issued a separate public statement 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 raises several broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, especially video game development, where narrative, dialogue, and world‑building have traditionally been the domain of human writers. While AI can accelerate content generation, critics argue that it may also diminish the authenticity and nuance that seasoned writers bring to interactive storytelling.
In this case, Sacco’s claim that she was replaced mid‑project by ChatGPT sparked concerns about job security for writers and the ethical implications of substituting human labor with algorithms. From a legal standpoint, the situation touches on employment contracts, termination procedures, and the transparency required when a company decides to employ AI tools that could affect an employee’s role. If a writer is dismissed under the pretext of performance but the underlying motive is to replace them with a cost‑effective AI system, the employer could face allegations of unfair labor practices. Conversely, a studio might argue that AI serves as a supplemental tool rather than a wholesale replacement, enhancing productivity without eliminating the need for human oversight.
Industry observers note that Saber Interactive is not the first studio to experiment with AI in game creation. Larger publishers have already integrated language models to generate procedural quest text, NPC dialogue, and even marketing copy. However, the public backlash in this instance suggests that studios need to be more forthcoming about when and how AI is used, especially when it directly impacts staff members. The CEO’s admission that he "shot first and thought second" is a rare moment of candor in a sector that often prefers polished PR statements.
By acknowledging his impulsive reaction, Karch appears to be attempting to rebuild trust with both his former employee and the broader gaming community. He also promised to update the Steam page once the AI‑related features are fully defined, signaling an intention to maintain transparency moving forward.
For players, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer may be limited. Most will likely be more concerned with the quality of the final product—whether the simulated rideshare experience feels immersive, whether the in‑game dialogue feels natural, and whether the game offers value for its price point. Nonetheless, the episode serves as a cautionary tale for developers who must balance the efficiencies offered by AI with the ethical responsibility to treat their creative staff fairly.
In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI usage notice to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an effort to address public concerns after allegations that a human writer was supplanted by ChatGPT. CEO Matt Karch’s public apology and his admission of a hasty, emotionally‑driven response illustrate the complexities of navigating AI integration in a highly visible, creative industry. As AI continues to evolve, the gaming sector will likely see more explicit disclosures, clearer policies, and perhaps new standards for how AI can be ethically and transparently employed without compromising the contributions of human creators.