Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the company had dismissed a writer in favor of AI‑generated copy. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s current use of AI tools and to address the allegations that a human writer was replaced by a machine during development. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent comments 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 has alleged that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its production and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used in the creation of the game. In response, Mr.
Karch has stated that Ms. Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI."" The disclaimer continues, quoting Karch’s remarks on the popular video‑game 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 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 further explained, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers." The situation escalated over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social networking 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 issued a public comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction. "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 controversy touches on several broader industry trends. First, the use of AI for content creation—ranging from dialogue and narrative snippets to marketing copy—has grown dramatically in the past two years.
Developers argue that AI can accelerate production, reduce costs, and allow smaller studios to punch above their weight. Critics, however, warn that over‑reliance on machine‑generated text can erode the quality of storytelling, marginalise human writers, and raise ethical questions about attribution and labor practices. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game is positioned as a lower‑priced, niche simulation experience that aims to model the day‑to‑day operations of a rideshare driver. Because of its modest budget, Saber Interactive appears to have leaned on AI tools to flesh out in‑game prompts, tutorial text, and perhaps some of the flavor dialogue that populates the virtual city.
The studio’s decision to publicly disclose this practice reflects a growing awareness that gamers and industry observers expect transparency about AI usage, especially when it intersects with employment decisions. Stella Sacco’s tenure at Saber spanned a full year, during which she reportedly contributed to the narrative framework and character voice of Rideshare Simulator.
Her claim that she was removed mid‑development and supplanted by ChatGPT suggests that the studio may have opted for a rapid, cost‑effective solution when the project hit a resource crunch. Karch’s admission that he would have been “happy to replace her with AI” in hindsight underscores the tension between creative stewardship and financial pragmatism. The public apology, while brief, is notable because it acknowledges a personal lapse in judgment rather than merely issuing a corporate statement. Karch’s phrasing—"shot first and thought second"—conveys a sense of impulsivity, implying that his initial reaction to Sacco’s allegations was defensive rather than measured.
By stating that he has taken steps to “rectify” the situation, he hints at possible remedial actions, though no concrete measures (such as reinstatement, compensation, or a formal review of AI policy) have been detailed. Industry analysts see this episode as a microcosm of the larger debate about AI ethics in game development. Organizations like the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) have begun drafting guidelines that recommend clear disclosure of AI‑generated content, fair treatment of human staff, and transparent attribution practices.
Saber Interactive’s new Steam disclaimer aligns with those emerging standards, but the timing—after a public dispute—suggests that the studio is reacting to pressure rather than proactively establishing best practices. For players, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer may be limited.
The core gameplay of Rideshare Simulator—picking up passengers, navigating traffic, managing earnings, and dealing with the whims of a gig‑economy platform—remains unchanged. However, the knowledge that portions of the in‑game text may have been generated by an algorithm could influence how players perceive the authenticity of the experience. Some may appreciate the novelty of AI‑enhanced dialogue, while others might view it as a shortcut that diminishes the human touch.
Looking ahead, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will update the Steam page once the final feature set is locked, suggesting that the AI components are still being refined. The studio may also be working on an internal policy that delineates when AI can be employed, how human writers are integrated, and what safeguards are in place to prevent similar disputes.
In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator’s Steam listing marks a public acknowledgment of the role artificial intelligence plays in the game’s development. The episode has shone a spotlight on the delicate balance between leveraging cutting‑edge technology and respecting the contributions of human creators.
CEO Matt Karch’s apology to former writer Stella Sacco, though candid about his emotional response, leaves open questions about concrete steps the company will take to ensure fair treatment of staff and transparent communication with its audience. As the industry continues to grapple with AI’s expanding capabilities, the Saber case may serve as a cautionary tale for studios navigating the intersection of innovation, ethics, and human talent.