Saber Interactive has taken the step of attaching an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam listing for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of criticism surrounding claims that the studio 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 company’s current and future use of AI tools in the development process, and to address the controversy that erupted when former staff member Stella Sacco alleged that her role had been eliminated and her responsibilities handed over to ChatGPT.
The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024. Sacco has claimed that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its development cycle and that her duties were subsequently filled by an AI language model, while also alleging additional, undisclosed instances of AI usage throughout the game's creation.
In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by another individual he described as ‘more talented,’ and that she was terminated a few months later for a range of reasons.
He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI. "When asked about Ms. Sacco, Mr.
Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames, ‘Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her.’ He continued, ‘We have already announced that we are employing AI for certain aspects of the game and will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalised.’ "Mr. Karch also stated that the use of AI in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—should be viewed as a benefit to consumers. "In a post on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, Ms.
Sacco wrote that Mr. Karch had ‘apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press.’ She added, ‘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.’ "Mr.
Karch later posted a public comment on LinkedIn, saying, ‘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 concluded, ‘It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify.’" The controversy began in early June when Sacco, who served as the lead writer on Rideshare Simulator, posted a series of messages on professional networking sites alleging that her contract had been abruptly terminated and that her writing responsibilities had been transferred to an AI system. She claimed that the decision was made without prior notice and that the studio had not disclosed the extent of AI involvement to either the development team or the public. Sacco’s statements quickly gained traction on social media, prompting a broader discussion about the ethics of replacing human creative talent with machine‑generated content in the video‑game industry.
In the days that followed, Matt Karch, the company’s chief executive, responded with a mixture of denial and justification. He asserted that Sacco’s departure was unrelated to AI and that she had been replaced by a colleague he considered more skilled for the specific narrative direction the project required. Karch also hinted that, had the timing been different, he might have opted to use AI tools to streamline certain writing tasks, a comment that many observers interpreted as an admission that the studio was already experimenting with generative text models.
The situation escalated when a screenshot of an internal email circulated online, showing a draft of a dialogue scene that had been generated by ChatGPT and subsequently edited by a human designer. While the email did not explicitly confirm that Sacco’s work had been overwritten, it fueled speculation that AI was being used not merely for ancillary tasks such as localization or procedural text, but for core narrative elements. Industry analysts have pointed out that the use of AI in game development is a rapidly growing trend.
Large language models can produce large volumes of placeholder text, generate branching dialogue trees, and even suggest quest structures, thereby reducing the workload for writers and designers. However, critics argue that reliance on AI risks homogenizing storytelling, eroding the unique voice that human authors bring to interactive experiences, and potentially displacing skilled professionals.
In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive announced that it would implement a transparent AI policy for all of its upcoming titles. The policy, which will be posted on the company’s website and linked from each game’s store page, promises to disclose when AI tools are used, to maintain a clear distinction between human‑authored and machine‑generated content, and to provide credit to any external AI services employed. The company also pledged to establish an internal review board to oversee AI integration and to ensure that ethical standards are upheld. Meanwhile, Sacco’s public statements have resonated with other writers in the industry who fear that similar scenarios could unfold at their own workplaces.
Several game writing guilds and unions have issued statements supporting Sacco’s claims and urging studios to adopt clear contractual language regarding AI usage. They argue that without explicit agreements, developers could unilaterally replace staff with algorithms, undermining job security and creative integrity. Matt Karch’s LinkedIn apology attempted to soften the situation by acknowledging his impulsive reaction to the criticism.
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 apology was met with mixed reactions; some observers appreciated the candidness, while others felt it fell short of a full acknowledgment of responsibility for the alleged mistreatment of a former employee. The broader conversation about AI in video games continues to evolve.
While some developers tout the efficiency gains and creative possibilities offered by generative models, others caution that the technology should complement, not replace, human talent. As Saber Interactive moves forward with Rideshare Simulator—a lower‑priced title that the company positions as a consumer‑friendly experience—the company’s handling of the AI disclaimer may serve as a case study for how studios can navigate the delicate balance between innovation and ethical labor practices. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator reflects a growing industry need for transparency around machine‑generated content.
The episode also highlights the personal and professional ramifications that can arise when a studio’s staffing decisions intersect with emerging technologies. As the dialogue between developers, writers, and players continues, the hope is that clearer guidelines and open communication will help prevent similar disputes in the future.