Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s current stance on AI usage and to address the controversy that surrounded the departure of former staff member Stella Sacco. The full 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. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI tools used during the game’s creation.
In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by a different individual deemed more suitable for the role and that her employment was terminated for a range of reasons a few months later. He also added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI." The controversy began when Sacco publicly claimed that she had been ousted from the Rideshare team and that her writing duties were taken over by the language model ChatGPT.
She further suggested that the studio had employed additional AI technologies in areas of the game that had not been announced to the public. These allegations sparked a broader debate within the gaming community about the ethics of replacing human creators with machine‑generated content, especially in a medium that relies heavily on narrative and immersive storytelling. Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded to the accusations in a series of interviews and social‑media posts.
In an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch said, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that the company had already been transparent about employing AI for certain aspects of the game and that a formal update to the Steam page would be made once the final feature set was locked down.
"We view our use of AI in this particular title, which will be priced lower than many of our other releases, as a benefit for consumers," Karch added, suggesting that AI could help keep costs down while still delivering a polished experience. The situation took another turn when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, 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." This statement indicated that an attempt at reconciliation was underway, though the specifics of any potential settlement or corrective action were left vague.
Karch later posted a more personal reflection on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding drama. "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 admission of a hasty response resonated with many observers, who noted that the high‑pressure environment of game development can sometimes lead to impulsive public statements.
Beyond the immediate dispute, the incident has reignited a larger conversation about the role of artificial intelligence in creative industries. Proponents argue that AI can streamline repetitive tasks, generate placeholder content, and even assist with localization, thereby freeing human creators to focus on higher‑level design and storytelling. Critics, however, warn that reliance on AI may diminish the authenticity of narratives, reduce opportunities for writers and artists, and potentially lead to homogenized products that lack the nuance only a human perspective can provide. Saber Interactive’s decision to place an explicit AI disclaimer on the Steam page reflects a growing trend among developers to be more transparent about the technologies they employ.
Similar disclosures have appeared in other titles, where studios outline the extent to which AI was used in asset creation, level design, or dialogue generation. By providing this information up front, companies hope to mitigate backlash and foster trust with their audience, especially as players become increasingly savvy about the tools behind their favorite games.
In the weeks ahead, the community will likely watch closely to see how Saber implements its promised updates to the Steam listing and whether any further details emerge about the specific AI tools used in Rideshare Simulator. The outcome may set a precedent for how other studios handle similar disputes, balancing the efficiencies offered by AI with the ethical considerations of crediting and compensating human talent. For now, the key takeaway is that both parties appear to be moving toward a resolution: Sacco has accepted Karch’s apology, albeit with reservations about what concrete steps will follow, and Karch has publicly acknowledged his misstep and pledged to correct the record.
Whether this episode will lead to lasting changes in industry practices remains to be seen, but it undeniably underscores the importance of clear communication, respect for creative contributors, and thoughtful integration of emerging technologies in game development.