Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam page for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. This move comes after a heated debate sparked by accusations that the studio had dismissed a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by AI tools. The full text of the new 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 company from July 2023 until July 2024. Sacco has claimed that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator team midway through production and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed applications of AI during the game's creation." In his public statements, Karch countered Sacco's allegations by saying she was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added that "in hindsight I would have been comfortable replacing her with AI." He later elaborated on a podcast called This Week In Videogames, noting, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or even seen her in person. We have already announced that we are employing AI for specific aspects of the game and will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalized." Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, stating, "We view our use of artificial intelligence in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as an added value for players." The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, writing that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the terrible way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "From the start I have stood firm that my account was truthful; it now appears that the facts support my version of events. Matt expressed a desire to make things right with me.
At this point I’m not sure exactly what that will look like, and I need some time to consider it, but I do accept his apology." Karch also issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his emotional reaction. He wrote, "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 the situation." The episode highlights several broader industry trends.
First, the integration of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models into game development pipelines is becoming increasingly common. Studios are leveraging these systems to generate dialogue, quest text, and even design documentation, hoping to accelerate production and reduce costs.
However, the rapid adoption of AI also raises questions about authorship, labor rights, and transparency. When a writer is removed and their duties are handed over to a machine, the ethical implications can be significant, especially if the change is not communicated openly to the public or to the affected employee.
Second, the incident underscores the importance of clear communication from leadership during a crisis. Karch’s admission that he reacted impulsively—"shot first and thought second"—is a rare moment of candor, yet it also illustrates how quickly a situation can spiral when emotions run high and statements are made without full context. By publishing an AI disclaimer after the fact, Saber Interactive is attempting to restore trust with its community, but the timing suggests the company is more reactive than proactive.
Third, the role of social media platforms such as BlueSky, LinkedIn, and podcasts in shaping the narrative cannot be overstated. Sacco’s decision to share her perspective on BlueSky gave her a direct channel to reach gamers and industry observers, bypassing traditional press releases. Meanwhile, Karch’s LinkedIn post served as a personal mea culpa, aiming to humanise his response and mitigate backlash.
These platforms allow both parties to frame the story in real time, influencing public perception and potentially affecting future hiring practices within the studio. From a legal standpoint, the dispute may also touch on employment contracts and intellectual property rights. If Sacco’s contributions were partially or fully replaced by AI‑generated text, questions arise about ownership of that content and whether the studio fulfilled its contractual obligations. While no lawsuits have been reported as of this writing, similar cases in other creative fields have led to settlements and new guidelines regarding AI usage.
Looking ahead, Saber Interactive’s handling of the situation could set a precedent for how other developers disclose AI involvement. Transparency could become a standard requirement, especially as consumer awareness grows and regulators consider legislation around AI in entertainment. For players, the promise of AI‑enhanced features—such as dynamic dialogue or procedurally generated scenarios—might be appealing, but only if they are informed about the extent of machine involvement.
In summary, Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an AI disclaimer to the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator after a controversy involving the alleged dismissal of writer Stella Sacco and the substitution of her work with AI‑generated copy. CEO Matt Karch publicly apologized, acknowledging his impulsive reaction and expressing a willingness to make amends. The episode reflects larger industry conversations about the ethical use of AI, the necessity for transparent communication, and the evolving relationship between developers, employees, and the gaming community.