Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a formal disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game’s development. The move comes after a heated debate sparked by accusations that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of content generated by AI tools.
The new notice, posted directly on the game's Steam page, seeks to clarify the company’s stance on AI and to address the concerns raised by the community and the media. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms. Sacco claims she was removed from the Rideshare project part‑way through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during 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 [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI."" The disclaimer continues with a direct quote from Karch during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames.
He said, "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 further explained that the studio views the integration of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers, positioning the technology as a value‑adding feature rather than a cost‑cutting measure. The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, noting 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 statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction.
He confessed, "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 episode raises several broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, especially in video game development where narrative, dialogue, and world‑building have traditionally relied on human writers. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate production, generate large volumes of placeholder text, and assist writers with brainstorming.
Critics, however, warn that over‑reliance on machine‑generated content can diminish the authenticity of storytelling, marginalise skilled professionals, and create ethical dilemmas around attribution and compensation. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game is marketed as an affordable, simulation‑focused experience that aims to capture the day‑to‑day challenges of rideshare drivers. By positioning AI as a "plus for consumers," Saber Interactive suggests that the technology will enhance gameplay—perhaps by providing dynamic, context‑sensitive dialogue or by streamlining the creation of in‑game advertisements and UI text.
Yet the lack of transparency about exactly which elements were AI‑generated has left many players and industry observers uneasy. The situation also underscores the importance of clear communication when companies decide to incorporate AI into their pipelines.
A well‑crafted disclaimer can pre‑empt misunderstandings, but it must be specific enough to inform users about the extent of AI involvement. In this instance, the Steam notice references the replacement of a human writer with ChatGPT but stops short of detailing how much of the final script, mission briefings, or character interactions were produced by the model.
From a legal standpoint, the use of AI in copyrighted works is still a gray area. While the output of models like ChatGPT is generally considered non‑copyrightable in many jurisdictions, the prompts, training data, and post‑processing steps may involve copyrighted material. Companies must therefore navigate a complex web of intellectual property considerations, especially when the AI‑generated text is presented as part of a commercial product.
The personal dimension of the dispute cannot be ignored. Sacco’s statements reveal a sense of betrayal and a desire for accountability. Her willingness to accept Karch’s apology, while still uncertain about what restitution might look like, suggests a nuanced resolution may be possible if both parties engage in good‑faith dialogue. Karch’s admission of a hasty reaction indicates a level of self‑awareness that could pave the way for more thoughtful policies regarding AI usage and staff treatment in the future.
Industry analysts are watching the Saber Interactive case closely, as it may set a precedent for how other studios handle similar situations. Transparency, fair labor practices, and responsible AI deployment are likely to become increasingly important as generative technologies become more capable and more widely adopted. In summary, Saber Interactive has taken steps to address community concerns by adding an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page and by publicly acknowledging the missteps of its CEO, Matt Karch.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between leveraging cutting‑edge technology and respecting the contributions of human creators. As AI continues to evolve, the gaming industry will need to develop robust guidelines that protect both the integrity of creative work and the rights of the individuals who bring those worlds to life.