Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store page 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 debate sparked by claims that the studio had dismissed a writer working on the project in favor of content generated by AI tools.
The company’s decision to add the notice reflects an effort to be transparent with its community and to address the concerns raised by former employees and industry observers. The full text of the new disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 to July 2024.
Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used throughout the game's creation." In the wake of these allegations, Matt Karch responded publicly, stating that Ms. Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that "in hindsight I would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI." He continued, "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 emphasized that the studio had already announced the use of AI for specific components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature list was settled. "We view our application of AI in this particular title, which is positioned as a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit for consumers," Karch explained.
He framed the technology as a way to streamline production, reduce costs, and potentially deliver a more polished experience for players without inflating the retail price. The controversy intensified when Stella Sacco took to the social networking platform BlueSky over the weekend to share her perspective. In her post, she wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." Sacco added, "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 statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding situation. 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 incident highlights several broader trends shaping the video game industry today. First, the increasing reliance on AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models for generating dialogue, quest descriptions, marketing copy, and even code snippets is reshaping traditional development pipelines.
Studios are attracted to these technologies because they can accelerate content creation, reduce the need for large writing teams, and cut production costs. However, the rapid adoption of AI also raises ethical and practical questions about authorship, quality control, and the treatment of human staff. Second, the case underscores the importance of clear communication and transparency when companies experiment with AI.
Players and industry watchdogs are becoming more vigilant about how AI is used, demanding disclosures that help them understand what portion of a game's narrative or assets may have been machine‑generated. By adding the disclaimer, Saber Interactive is aligning itself with emerging best practices, even as it navigates the fallout from internal personnel decisions. Third, the situation illustrates the human side of corporate conflict.
Karch's admission that he reacted impulsively—"shot first and thought second"—reflects the pressure executives face when confronted with public criticism. While his apology and the subsequent disclaimer may help mend the relationship with Sacco and the broader community, they also serve as a reminder that leadership must balance swift damage control with thoughtful, measured responses.
From a legal standpoint, there are no known contractual violations or lawsuits filed by Sacco against Saber Interactive at this time. Nonetheless, the allegations could influence future hiring practices, prompting studios to clarify the role of AI in job descriptions and to establish policies that protect writers and other creatives from being arbitrarily replaced. Industry analysts have weighed in, noting that the debate over AI in game development is likely to intensify. Some predict that regulatory bodies may eventually require explicit labeling of AI‑generated content, similar to food labeling laws, to ensure consumers are fully informed.
Others argue that the creative benefits of AI—such as rapid prototyping, localized text generation, and accessibility improvements—outweigh the potential downsides, provided that studios maintain ethical standards. For players of Rideshare Simulator, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer may be minimal.
The game remains a low‑cost simulation that aims to deliver a realistic experience of operating a ridesharing service in a bustling city environment. Whether AI contributed to the in‑game dialogues, mission briefs, or marketing materials, the core gameplay mechanics—driving physics, passenger interactions, and city navigation—are still built on the studio's proprietary engine and design expertise.
In conclusion, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer to the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator represents a strategic response to a controversy that centered on the alleged replacement of a human writer with an artificial intelligence system. CEO Matt Karch's public apology to former writer Stella Sacco, combined with his acknowledgment of an impulsive reaction, signals an attempt to repair trust and demonstrate accountability.
As AI continues to permeate the gaming sector, this episode may serve as a case study for how studios can balance technological innovation with transparent communication and respect for the creative professionals who shape their narratives.