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 dispute erupted over claims that the company had sidelined a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The controversy began when former employee Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024, publicly alleged that she was removed from the project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently handed over to ChatGPT. Sacco also hinted that other, as‑yet‑undisclosed AI tools had been employed throughout the game's creation, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and the ethical use of generative AI in the gaming industry.
In response to the allegations, Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a statement that attempted to clarify the situation while also defending the company’s broader AI strategy. Karch said that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, somewhat controversially, that "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." He went on to say that the company had already been open about using artificial intelligence for certain aspects of the game and that a formal update to the Steam page would be posted once the feature set was finalized. According to Karch, the use of AI in a lower‑priced title such as Rideshare Simulator is intended to be a benefit for consumers, offering cost savings that could be passed on to players. The CEO’s remarks were captured in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he admitted, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." The comment was widely interpreted as dismissive, further inflaming the debate. Karch reiterated that Saber was already employing AI in specific parts of the game and promised to update the Steam listing with a clear disclaimer once the final AI‑driven features were locked down.
The dispute took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, stating 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." Sacco’s message suggested a tentative reconciliation, though she emphasized that she needed time to consider what a satisfactory resolution would entail. Karch also posted a personal comment on LinkedIn, attempting to explain his earlier 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." This admission of impulsive behavior was meant to humanize his response, but many observers felt it fell short of taking full responsibility for the alleged mishandling of a staff member and the opaque use of AI. The broader context of this episode reflects an industry‑wide conversation about the role of generative AI in game development.
While AI tools can accelerate content creation, streamline translation, and assist with procedural generation, they also raise concerns about job displacement, creative ownership, and the authenticity of narrative experiences. Critics argue that replacing a skilled writer with a language model could diminish the depth and nuance of storytelling, especially in a simulation game that relies heavily on dialogue and scenario design to immerse players in realistic rideshare scenarios. Supporters of AI integration, on the other hand, point out that cost‑effective production can enable smaller studios to compete with larger publishers, potentially leading to more diverse titles reaching the market. They also note that AI can serve as a collaborative partner rather than a wholesale replacement, augmenting human creativity rather than supplanting it.
In Saber’s case, the company appears to be positioning AI as a value‑add for consumers, promising lower prices and faster updates. The addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page is a concrete step toward transparency, signaling to potential buyers that parts of the game’s content may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence.
The disclaimer itself reads: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who worked at Saber from July 2023 to July 2024, and stated she was removed from Rideshare midway through development and replaced with ChatGPT, while alleging other then‑unannounced use of AI in the game's development. In response, Karch stated that Sacco was 'replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later,' and added that 'in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI.'" By publishing this notice, Saber hopes to quell speculation and provide a factual baseline for consumer decision‑making. The incident also underscores the importance of clear internal communication and respectful treatment of staff.
Sacco’s claim that she was never consulted about the AI transition, coupled with Karch’s seemingly flippant remarks about never having met her, paints a picture of a breakdown in professional dialogue. In the high‑stakes environment of game production, where deadlines are tight and budgets constrained, such missteps can quickly become public relations crises. Looking ahead, the outcome of this dispute may influence how other developers approach AI disclosure. Regulatory bodies in several jurisdictions are beginning to consider guidelines for AI‑generated content, and consumer advocacy groups are urging greater labeling to prevent deception.
Should Saber successfully navigate the fallout—by honoring Sacco’s request for an apology, providing a transparent AI usage report, and ensuring that any AI‑generated text meets quality standards—it could set a positive precedent for responsible AI adoption in the gaming sector. For now, players interested in Rideshare Simulator can expect a Steam page that explicitly mentions AI involvement, and they can watch for further statements from both Saber Interactive and Stella Sacco as the situation evolves. The episode serves as a reminder that while technology can enhance creativity, the human elements of respect, communication, and accountability remain essential in any collaborative endeavor.