Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store listing for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, now visible on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the extent of AI usage in the project and to address concerns raised by both the gaming community and the media. 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 Saber from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare development team midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications within the game’s creation process. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he deems more skilled and that she was terminated for a range of reasons a few months later.
He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI tools." During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch elaborated on the situation, saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her in person." He continued, "We have already announced that we are employing AI for specific elements of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalized the feature set." Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, noting, "We view our integration of AI in this particular title— which will be priced lower than many of our flagship releases — as an added value for players." The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, stating that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the terrible way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "From the beginning I have stood firm that my account was truthful; I think we can all now agree that the facts have been borne out.
Matt expressed a desire to make things right with me; at this point I’m not sure what that looks like, and I need time to process it, but I do accept his apology." Karch later issued a public statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional 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 admitted. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify the situation." The episode raises broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, especially in video game development where narrative, dialogue, and world‑building have traditionally been the domain of human writers. While AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models can accelerate content generation, they also spark debates about authorship, quality, and ethical employment practices.
Industry observers note that the gaming sector has been experimenting with AI for months, using it to generate placeholder text, assist with localization, or even prototype mission structures. However, the substitution of a full‑time writer with a machine, as alleged in this case, is relatively rare and touches on sensitive labor issues. Critics argue that replacing a human voice with an algorithm can diminish the nuance and emotional resonance that players expect from story‑driven games.
Supporters of AI integration counter that the technology can free up creative talent to focus on higher‑level design decisions, while routine writing tasks are delegated to algorithms. They also point out that AI can help indie studios with limited budgets produce richer content without the expense of large writing teams. In Saber Interactive’s situation, the company appears to be positioning Rideshare Simulator as a lower‑priced, AI‑enhanced title, suggesting that cost savings from reduced labor will be passed on to consumers. The disclaimer on Steam is likely intended to pre‑empt further backlash by being transparent about the extent of AI involvement.
The public apology from Karch, while acknowledging his impulsive reaction, does not fully address the core grievance: whether Sacco was indeed replaced by an AI system and whether her termination was justified. The lack of concrete details leaves room for speculation, and many in the community are awaiting further clarification from Saber Interactive.
Meanwhile, Sacco’s statement that she is still processing the apology indicates that the reconciliation process may be ongoing. She has not specified any concrete steps the company will take to remedy the situation, such as reinstating her role, offering compensation, or providing a clear roadmap for how AI will be used in future projects. The incident also highlights the importance of clear internal policies regarding AI usage.
Companies that adopt AI need to establish guidelines that protect employee rights, ensure transparency with the public, and maintain the artistic integrity of their products. Without such frameworks, disputes like this can quickly become public relations crises. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an attempt to address community concerns after allegations that a human writer was ousted in favor of machine‑generated copy.
CEO Matt Karch’s public apology acknowledges his own emotional misstep but leaves many questions unanswered about the exact role AI played in the game’s development and the circumstances of the former writer’s departure. As AI continues to permeate creative fields, the industry will likely see more debates and policy discussions aimed at balancing technological efficiency with ethical employment practices and artistic quality.