Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated controversy erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game's product page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current and future use of AI tools in the development process and to address concerns raised by both the gaming community and industry observers.
The full text of the 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 studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during the game's creation. In response, Mr.
Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by another individual he describes as ‘more talented’ and that her employment was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later. He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI-generated content." The controversy began when former lead writer Stella Sacco posted a series of messages on the social platform BlueSky, alleging that she had been abruptly removed from the Rideshare Simulator project and that her duties were handed over to an AI language model—specifically ChatGPT. Sacco’s statements also suggested that the studio had employed additional, undisclosed AI tools throughout the development cycle, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and the ethical treatment of creative staff.
Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded publicly in 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," indicating that he had no recollection of any direct interaction with Sacco. Karch went on to acknowledge that the company was indeed using AI for certain aspects of the game, but framed this as a consumer benefit, especially given that Rideshare Simulator is slated to be a lower‑priced title.
He promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down, emphasizing that AI integration would be presented as a value‑add for players. In the days that followed, Sacco posted an update on BlueSky indicating 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, where he admitted, "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 touches on several broader industry trends. First, the rapid adoption of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and others has sparked debates over intellectual property, creative ownership, and the future role of human writers in game development. While AI can accelerate content generation, many creators worry that reliance on algorithms could marginalize skilled writers and lead to homogenized narratives.
Second, the incident highlights the importance of transparent communication with both staff and the public. When a studio makes significant changes to a development team—especially when those changes involve replacing a person with a machine—clear, timely disclosure can help mitigate backlash. From a consumer perspective, the inclusion of an AI disclaimer may be viewed positively by some players who appreciate cost‑saving measures that could translate into lower game prices.
Others, however, may feel uneasy about the authenticity of storylines and dialogue that might be partially or wholly generated by algorithms. The gaming community has historically valued handcrafted storytelling, and any perception that a title is overly reliant on AI could affect its reputation. In response to the controversy, Saber Interactive has pledged to be more forthcoming about its AI usage.
The studio plans to publish a detailed breakdown of which game elements—such as procedural city generation, non‑player character (NPC) dialogue, or marketing copy—are assisted by AI, and which are created entirely by human designers and writers. This level of granularity is intended to reassure both fans and industry peers that the creative core of Rideshare Simulator remains human‑driven, while still leveraging the efficiency gains offered by modern AI technologies. The situation also serves as a cautionary tale for other developers navigating the intersection of AI and human talent. Companies must balance the cost‑effectiveness of AI with the ethical considerations of workforce management, ensuring that staff members are treated fairly and that any transitions are communicated with respect and clarity.
Failure to do so can result in public relations challenges, legal scrutiny, and damage to brand trust. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to add an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an effort to address community concerns after allegations that a writer was replaced by ChatGPT.
CEO Matt Karch’s public apologies—both on a gaming podcast and via LinkedIn—acknowledge his impulsive reaction to the criticism and his intent to make amends. The broader conversation underscores the need for transparent AI policies, responsible treatment of creative staff, and clear communication with audiences as the gaming industry continues to integrate advanced language models into its workflows.