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. The move comes after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the studio had dismissed a writer working on the project in favor of AI‑generated text. The new notice, posted directly on the Steam store page, aims to address community concerns and provide transparency about the role that machine‑learning tools played in creating the game's narrative and marketing copy. The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements from Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the company from July 2023 until July 2024.
Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed AI applications throughout the production process. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms.
Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as "more talented" and that her employment was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later. He added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI. "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Mr.
Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames. "We have already announced that we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalized the feature set." "We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers." In a separate post on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, Ms.
Sacco wrote that Mr. Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "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." Mr. Karch also issued a public statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the controversy.
"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 wrote. "It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The controversy surrounding Rideshare Simulator highlights a broader industry debate about the ethical and practical implications of integrating AI into creative workflows.
On one side, developers argue that AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models can accelerate content creation, reduce costs, and enable rapid iteration on dialogue, item descriptions, and marketing copy. On the other side, critics warn that reliance on AI may marginalize human writers, dilute artistic voice, and raise questions about authorship and accountability. In the case of Saber Interactive, the dispute began when former writer Stella Sacco publicly claimed that her role on the project had been terminated and that her duties were handed over to an AI system without her knowledge.
Sacco's timeline indicates she joined the company in July 2023, contributed to early drafts of the game's narrative, and was let go in July 2024, roughly a year later. She alleges that the studio substituted her contributions with output generated by ChatGPT, a popular AI text generator developed by OpenAI, and that other undisclosed AI technologies were employed throughout development. Matt Karch's response attempted to downplay the allegations, suggesting that Sacco was replaced by a more skilled individual and that her termination stemmed from multiple factors unrelated to AI.
He also hinted that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable using AI to replace her work entirely. This ambiguous stance sparked further backlash, as many observers interpreted his comments as an admission that AI was used to supplant human labor without proper acknowledgment. The BlueSky post from Sacco added a personal dimension to the dispute, as she accepted Karch's apology but remained uncertain about what concrete steps the studio would take to "make it right." Her statement underscores the emotional toll such controversies can have on individual creators, especially when public accusations intersect with corporate reputation management. Karch's LinkedIn apology offers a glimpse into the internal pressures that can arise when a company faces scrutiny over AI usage.
By describing himself as "triggered" and admitting to reacting impulsively, he attempts to humanize his response while also signaling a willingness to address the fallout. However, the phrasing—"shot first and thought second"—has been criticized as a clumsy metaphor that may minimize the seriousness of the allegations. The addition of the AI disclaimer on Steam serves multiple purposes.
First, it fulfills a growing expectation among gamers that developers be transparent about the technologies influencing game content. Second, it provides a legal safeguard, as undisclosed AI usage could potentially infringe on copyright or raise consumer protection issues. Finally, it attempts to restore trust by openly acknowledging that AI was employed in certain aspects of the game, even if the exact scope remains vague.
Industry observers note that this episode may set a precedent for how studios handle AI disclosures in the future. As AI tools become more sophisticated, regulators and platform holders like Steam may require clearer labeling to inform consumers about the presence of AI‑generated content. Some developers have already begun to include AI usage statements in their store descriptions, while others remain silent, fearing negative public perception. For players of Rideshare Simulator, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer is likely minimal.
The game, marketed as an affordable simulation experience, continues to receive updates and patches, and the core gameplay mechanics remain unchanged. However, the controversy may influence how players perceive the narrative quality and authenticity of the in‑game dialogue, especially if they value human‑crafted storytelling over algorithmic text. In summary, Saber Interactive's decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator reflects both a response to public criticism and a broader industry shift toward greater transparency about artificial intelligence in game development.
CEO Matt Karch's public apologies—first on a video‑game podcast, then on BlueSky, and finally on LinkedIn—demonstrate an attempt to manage the fallout, though his language has drawn mixed reactions. The episode underscores the delicate balance studios must strike between leveraging cutting‑edge AI tools for efficiency and maintaining the trust of creators and consumers who expect genuine, human‑driven content.
As the conversation around AI in creative industries evolves, it is likely that more studios will adopt formal disclosure policies, and that writers like Sacco will continue to advocate for clear recognition of human contributions. Whether this leads to new industry standards, legal guidelines, or simply a shift in public expectations remains to be seen, but the Saber Interactive case will undoubtedly be referenced in future discussions about AI ethics, authorship, and accountability in video game production.