Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy erupted around claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s current use of machine‑learning tools and to address the concerns raised by former employee Stella Sacco, who alleged that her role was eliminated midway through development and that the studio had turned to ChatGPT and other AI systems for content creation.
The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who worked at Saber from July 2023 to July 2024, and stated she was removed from Rideshare midway through development and replaced with ChatGPT, while alleging other then‑unannounced use of AI in the game's development." The statement goes on to explain that the studio is now being transparent about any AI‑generated elements in the game and will keep the Steam page updated as the feature set is finalized. When confronted with Sacco’s accusations, Karch initially responded that the writer had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This remark sparked further backlash, as many observers felt it downplayed the human contribution and suggested a willingness to substitute people with algorithms without proper justification.
During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch appeared to double‑down on the studio’s AI strategy, saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her. We have already said we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalised the feature set." He framed the use of artificial intelligence as a consumer benefit, noting that Rideshare would be a lower‑priced title and that AI integration could help keep costs down while delivering additional features.
The situation escalated 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'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, attempting to explain his earlier reaction. He admitted, "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 controversy touches on broader industry debates about the role of AI in creative workflows.
While some developers argue that AI can accelerate asset production, script drafting, and testing, others warn that over‑reliance on algorithms may undermine the value of human writers, designers, and artists. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the core dispute centers on whether Sacco was unfairly removed and replaced by a language model, and whether the studio’s subsequent communication was transparent enough for the gaming community.
Industry analysts note that the use of AI in video game development is still in its early stages, and best‑practice guidelines are still emerging. Transparency, proper attribution, and clear consent from affected staff are often cited as essential components of responsible AI adoption. By adding the disclaimer, Saber Interactive appears to be aligning itself with these emerging standards, albeit after significant public pressure. The apology from Karch, while a step toward reconciliation, leaves several unanswered questions.
Sacco’s statement suggests that she is still processing the apology and has not yet determined what a satisfactory resolution would look like. Meanwhile, the broader community continues to watch how Saber Interactive will implement AI tools in Rideshare Simulator and whether the final product will reflect a blend of human creativity and machine assistance or lean heavily toward the latter. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI usage disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator follows a contentious episode involving the alleged dismissal of writer Stella Sacco and the substitution of her work with ChatGPT‑generated copy.
CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized, acknowledging that his initial reaction was impulsive and that he has taken steps to address the situation. The episode underscores the ongoing tension within the gaming industry over the balance between human talent and artificial intelligence, and it serves as a reminder that clear communication and ethical considerations are crucial when integrating new technologies into creative projects.