Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store listing 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 public dispute in which the company was accused of removing a human writer from the project and substituting her contributions with text generated by AI tools. The controversy has sparked a broader conversation about the role of AI in video‑game creation, the ethics of replacing creative staff with algorithms, and how studios should be transparent with their audiences.
The full disclaimer now appears on the Steam page and 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." By publishing this notice, Saber aims to clarify the extent of AI involvement and to address the concerns raised by former staff and community members. Stella Sacco, who served as a lead writer on Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that she was dismissed from the project before its completion and that her responsibilities were taken over by the language model ChatGPT.
Sacco also suggested that additional, undisclosed AI tools were employed throughout the game's production pipeline. Her statements quickly gained traction on social media, prompting fans and industry observers to question whether the studio had acted ethically in replacing a human writer with an algorithm. In the wake of these allegations, Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, issued a response that mixed defensive language with a hint of regret.
He asserted that 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." Karch’s comments were interpreted by many as an attempt to justify the decision while simultaneously acknowledging that AI could have been a viable alternative. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch further distanced himself from Sacco, stating, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that the studio had already been transparent about employing AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers," he added, framing the technology as a cost‑saving measure that could benefit players through lower prices or faster updates.
The exchange escalated on the social platform BlueSky, where Sacco posted 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 also took to LinkedIn to offer a more personal explanation for his earlier remarks. "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." This candid admission of impulsive behavior was intended to humanize the CEO, but it also underscored the volatile nature of public discourse when allegations of AI misuse surface. The incident has reignited a longstanding debate within the gaming industry about the appropriate balance between human creativity and machine‑generated content. Proponents of AI argue that language models can accelerate writing workflows, generate placeholder dialogue, and even assist with localization, thereby freeing writers to focus on higher‑level storytelling.
Critics, however, warn that over‑reliance on AI could marginalize skilled writers, dilute narrative quality, and create a slippery slope toward replacing entire creative teams with algorithms. For developers, the key challenge lies in establishing clear policies that define when and how AI tools may be used, and in communicating those policies transparently to both staff and players. Many studios have begun to adopt internal guidelines that require human oversight of AI‑generated text, attribution of AI contributions, and regular audits to ensure that the final product meets artistic standards. From a consumer perspective, the presence of an AI disclaimer on a Steam page offers a level of openness that can help players make informed decisions.
Gamers who value handcrafted storytelling may choose to avoid titles that heavily rely on AI, while others might appreciate the potential cost savings and faster release cycles that AI can enable. In the specific case of Rideshare Simulator, the controversy may have both short‑term and long‑term repercussions.
In the immediate term, the studio faces scrutiny from the press and a possible loss of goodwill among its fan base. Over the longer horizon, Saber Interactive’s handling of the situation could serve as a case study for how other developers navigate similar dilemmas, especially as AI technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and accessible. Ultimately, the episode underscores the importance of clear communication, ethical decision‑making, and respect for the contributions of human creators in an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a mainstream tool in game development.
By publishing the AI disclaimer and acknowledging the missteps in his public statements, Matt Karch has taken a step toward rebuilding trust, but the path forward will require continued dialogue, transparent policies, and a commitment to preserving the creative integrity of video games.