Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store page 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 that surfaced online, alleging that the studio had dismissed a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with content generated by AI tools. The full text of the newly added notice 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 claims she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its development and replaced with output from ChatGPT, and she further alleges that additional, as‑yet‑unannounced AI technologies were employed throughout the creation of the game." In the wake of these accusations, Matt Karch responded publicly, stating 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 retrospect, I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This blunt admission sparked further discussion about the ethical boundaries of AI usage in creative industries, especially when human contributors are removed from the process. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch elaborated on his lack of personal interaction with Sacco, saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that the studio had already communicated its intention to employ AI for certain aspects of the game, promising to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. "We view our use of AI in this particular title, which will be a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit for consumers," he asserted.
The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on the social network BlueSky over the weekend, noting 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 statement on LinkedIn, attempting to contextualise his earlier outburst. "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 confessed. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The episode highlights several broader issues that are currently shaping the video game industry. First, the rapid advancement of large language models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and others has made it possible for studios to generate dialogue, quest descriptions, and even entire narrative arcs with minimal human input.
While these tools can dramatically reduce production costs and accelerate timelines, they also raise questions about authorship, compensation, and the preservation of creative integrity. In Sacco's case, the claim that her role was supplanted by AI after only a year of employment suggests a potential shift in how studios value human writers versus algorithmic output. Second, the public nature of the dispute underscores the growing importance of transparency with consumers.
By adding the AI disclaimer to the Steam page, Saber Interactive is attempting to pre‑empt further backlash and comply with emerging expectations that players be informed about the origins of in‑game content. This mirrors actions taken by other developers who have begun to label AI‑generated assets, whether visual, auditory, or textual, in order to maintain trust and avoid accusations of deception.
Third, the personal dimension of the conflict—Karch's admission that he reacted impulsively—offers a reminder that corporate leaders are not immune to the emotional pressures of public scrutiny. His phrasing, "shot first and thought second," conveys a candid acknowledgment of a misstep, yet also signals a need for more measured communication strategies when handling sensitive personnel matters.
Looking ahead, the industry may see a formalisation of guidelines surrounding AI usage. Organizations such as the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) are already discussing best practices, including clear attribution, consent from human contributors, and safeguards against bias in AI‑generated text. For studios like Saber Interactive, adhering to such standards could become a competitive advantage, especially as gamers become more discerning about the authenticity of storytelling. In summary, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects a response to allegations that a human writer was replaced by machine‑generated copy.
CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized to former writer Stella Sacco, acknowledging his hasty reaction to criticism. The incident serves as a microcosm of the larger conversation about AI's role in game development, the ethical treatment of creative staff, and the necessity for transparent communication with the gaming community.