Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a key writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The new notice, which appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current and planned use of machine‑learning tools in the development process.
The full text of the disclaimer reads: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco. Ms.
Sacco was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024 and alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through production and substituted with content generated by ChatGPT. She also claims that additional, undisclosed AI technologies were employed throughout the game's creation." In a follow‑up interview, Karch responded to Sacco’s allegations by saying that she 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 swapping her out for AI." He further explained, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or even seen her in person," during a conversation with the podcast This Week In Videogames.
Karch emphasized that the studio had already announced the use of AI for certain components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature list was finalized. "We view our AI implementation in this particular title— which will be priced lower than our flagship releases — as a benefit for players," Karch continued. He framed the technology as a way to streamline production and potentially lower costs for consumers, suggesting that the integration of AI would not compromise the overall quality of the experience. The controversy took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted a message on the social network BlueSky.
In her note, she wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the terrible way he spoke about me in the press." She added, "I have stood firm from the start that my account was truthful; it now appears that the facts support my version of events. Matt expressed a desire to make amends, but I am still unsure what that will look like for me. I need time to process it, though I do accept his apology." Karch later issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction.
"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 situation." The episode highlights a broader industry debate about the role of AI in creative fields.
While many developers argue that tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models can accelerate writing, concept art, and even code, critics worry that reliance on such systems may marginalize human talent and lead to ethical gray areas regarding attribution and employment. For Saber Interactive, the incident has become a public relations learning moment. By placing a clear disclaimer on the Steam page, the studio is attempting to be transparent with its audience about where and how AI is being used.
This move may also serve as a pre‑emptive measure against potential regulatory scrutiny, as several governments and consumer‑protection agencies are beginning to draft guidelines for AI disclosure in digital products. From a consumer perspective, the added notice provides reassurance that the game’s narrative and dialogue have not been entirely outsourced to a machine.
Players who value handcrafted storytelling can now make an informed decision about whether they wish to support a title that blends human authorship with algorithmic assistance. Industry observers note that the situation is not unique to Saber. Similar disputes have arisen at other studios where writers, designers, or artists have voiced concerns about being replaced or having their work supplemented by AI without proper acknowledgment.
The conversation is evolving, with unions and guilds calling for clearer standards and contractual language that protects creative professionals while still allowing studios to experiment with emerging technologies. In the meantime, Saber Interactive appears to be moving forward with Rideshare Simulator’s development schedule. The game, billed as a lower‑cost simulation experience that lets players manage a ridesharing business, will continue to incorporate AI for specific tasks such as procedural generation of city layouts, dynamic traffic patterns, and optional dialogue variations. The studio has pledged to keep the community updated as the feature set solidifies, promising that any additional AI‑related changes will be reflected in future Steam updates.
Ultimately, the episode underscores the delicate balance between innovation and responsibility. As AI becomes more capable, companies will need to navigate the expectations of their workforce, their audience, and regulators alike. Saber Interactive’s decision to publicly acknowledge the technology and to issue an apology to a former employee may serve as a case study for how to manage similar controversies in the future.