Saber Interactive has now appended an explicit AI usage disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy erupted surrounding accusations that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which appears prominently on the game's page, seeks to clarify the extent to which artificial intelligence tools were employed during development and to address the concerns raised by former staff and the broader gaming community. The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024.
Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its production cycle and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during the creation of the game." In his public statements, Karch countered the allegations by saying that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added a candid reflection: "In hindsight, I would have been comfortable swapping her out for an AI solution." He further emphasized that he had never actually met or spoken with Sacco, noting, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames. Karch also reiterated that the studio had already disclosed its intention to incorporate AI in specific aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature set was finalized.
"We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers," he said, positioning the technology as a value‑adding element rather than a cost‑cutting measure. The dispute escalated on the social platform BlueSky, where Sacco posted 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 comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional response 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 incident has sparked a broader conversation within the gaming industry about the ethical implications of replacing human creative talent with machine‑generated content. Critics argue that while AI can accelerate certain production pipelines—such as generating placeholder art, procedural level design, or drafting narrative outlines—it should not be used to supplant the nuanced storytelling and cultural sensitivity that experienced writers bring to a project.
Proponents, however, point out that AI tools can serve as collaborative assistants, offering rapid iterations and freeing up human creators to focus on higher‑level design decisions. In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive has pledged to be more transparent about its AI workflow.
The company indicated that the AI components currently integrated into Rideshare Simulator are limited to non‑narrative elements, such as in‑game signage, procedural traffic patterns, and certain UI text strings. They also affirmed that all major story beats, character dialogues, and mission objectives were still authored by human writers, with any AI‑generated suggestions undergoing thorough review by the narrative team. Industry analysts note that the situation reflects a growing tension as studios grapple with cost pressures and the rapid advancement of generative AI models.
According to a recent survey by the International Game Developers Association, over 40% of respondents reported experimenting with AI tools for content creation, yet fewer than 10% felt confident that their use complied with ethical standards and labor agreements. From a legal standpoint, the controversy raises questions about employment contracts and intellectual property rights. If a writer is dismissed and their work is subsequently replaced by AI‑generated text, it is unclear who holds ownership of the final output.
Some labor advocates argue that companies should negotiate clear clauses regarding AI substitution to protect both the creative workforce and the integrity of the final product. For players, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer may be minimal. Rideshare Simulator remains a budget‑friendly title aimed at fans of realistic driving experiences, and its core gameplay—managing a ridesharing business, navigating city traffic, and optimizing routes—has not changed. However, the transparency move may influence consumer perception, especially among those who value authentic, human‑crafted narratives.
Looking ahead, Saber Interactive says it will monitor community feedback and adjust its AI policy as needed. The studio plans to host a live Q&A session later this month, inviting both developers and players to discuss the role of AI in game creation, the specifics of the Rideshare project, and the steps being taken to ensure fair treatment of staff. In summary, the addition of the AI disclaimer marks an attempt by Saber Interactive to address mounting concerns about the replacement of a human writer with artificial intelligence.
CEO Matt Karch’s public apology and acknowledgment of his hasty reaction underscore the sensitivity of the issue. As the industry continues to integrate AI technologies, the balance between efficiency gains and preserving the creative contributions of human talent will remain a pivotal discussion point.