Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam listing for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. This move comes after a heated controversy erupted when allegations surfaced that the studio had dismissed a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by AI tools. The full text of the new disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the company from July 2023 until July 2024. Sacco claims she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its creation and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications throughout the development process." In addressing these claims, Karch initially responded that Sacco had "been replaced by someone more talented and was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," adding that, "in hindsight I would have been comfortable swapping her out for an AI solution." He went on to say, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames. Karch further explained, "We have already announced that we are employing AI for certain components of the game and will revise the Steam page once the feature set is finalized." He framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, noting, "We view our AI integration in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as a value‑add for players." The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social network BlueSky over the weekend, stating that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the terrible way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "From the beginning I have stood firm that my account was truthful; it now appears that the facts support my version. Matt expressed a desire to make things right with me.
At this moment I’m not sure what that looks like, and I’ll need time to consider it, but I do accept his apology." Karch later issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction. 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 situation." The controversy touches on several broader industry trends.
First, the increasing reliance on AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other language models for generating in‑game dialogue, marketing copy, and even narrative design. While these technologies can accelerate production and reduce costs, they also raise ethical questions about authorship, transparency, and the treatment of human creators. In Sacco's case, the claim that an AI system replaced a human writer mid‑project sparked concerns about job security for writers in the gaming sector, a field already grappling with the balance between artistic craftsmanship and technological efficiency. Second, the episode underscores the importance of clear communication with the gaming community.
Steam pages serve as the primary source of information for prospective buyers, and any omission—or perceived omission—about AI usage can be seen as misleading. By adding the disclaimer, Saber Interactive aims to restore trust and comply with emerging expectations that developers disclose when AI has contributed to a product. Third, the personal dynamics between Karch and Sacco illustrate how public disputes can quickly become amplified on social media platforms. Sacco's decision to share her perspective on BlueSky, a newer decentralized network, allowed her narrative to reach a wider audience beyond traditional gaming news outlets.
Karch's subsequent LinkedIn post attempted to humanise his reaction, framing it as an impulsive emotional response rather than a calculated corporate stance. This dual‑channel approach—both apologising publicly and providing a written record—reflects a growing trend where executives use multiple platforms to manage reputation crises.
From a legal standpoint, there are no known lawsuits filed yet, but the situation could set a precedent for future litigation concerning AI‑generated content and employment contracts. If a writer's role is explicitly defined as creating original prose, and a company replaces that role with an algorithm without proper notice or compensation, it could be construed as a breach of contract or wrongful termination. Industry bodies are beginning to draft guidelines to address these gray areas, but concrete regulations remain in flux. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive has indicated that the AI components will be limited to certain aspects of Rideshare Simulator, such as procedural text generation for minor in‑game prompts and marketing blurbs.
The core narrative and major dialogue sequences are reportedly still crafted by human writers, though the company has not disclosed the exact proportion of AI versus human input. This measured approach may help mitigate backlash while still leveraging the efficiency gains that AI offers. In summary, the incident surrounding Rideshare Simulator illustrates the complex intersection of emerging AI technology, employee relations, and public accountability in the video game industry. Saber Interactive's decision to place an AI disclaimer on its Steam page represents an effort to be transparent with consumers, while CEO Matt Karch's public apology to former writer Stella Sacco signals an acknowledgement of the personal fallout from the controversy.
As AI tools become more ubiquitous, developers will likely need to develop clearer policies, both internally for staff and externally for players, to navigate the ethical and legal challenges that accompany this new frontier.