Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store listing for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The new notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s Steam page, is intended to clarify the company’s current stance on the use of machine‑learning tools in the development process and to address the accusations that have been circulating online. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed applications of artificial intelligence in the creation of the game. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms.
Sacco was replaced by an individual he describes as more skilled and that her employment was terminated for multiple reasons a few months later. He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI‑generated content." The controversy began when former lead writer Stella Sacco posted a series of messages on the social platform BlueSky, claiming that she had been abruptly removed from the Rideshare team and that her writing duties were handed over to a large language model, specifically ChatGPT. Sacco’s statements suggested that the decision was not merely a personnel change but part of a broader, undisclosed strategy to incorporate AI into various aspects of the game’s development without informing the public or the team.
Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded publicly in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames. He said, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," indicating that he had no recollection of any direct interaction with the former writer.
Karch went on to acknowledge that the studio was indeed experimenting with AI for certain elements of the game, but he framed this as a consumer benefit, especially given that Rideshare is positioned as a lower‑priced title. "We view our use of AI in this particular game as a plus for players," he said, adding that the company would update the Steam page once the AI‑related features were finalized. In a subsequent BlueSky post, Sacco wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She noted that she had stood firm from the beginning, insisting that her account was truthful, and that the facts now appeared to be corroborated.
"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," she said. Karch also issued a separate statement on LinkedIn, where he admitted that his initial reaction to the criticism was emotionally driven.
"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 episode has sparked a broader conversation within the gaming industry about the ethical implications of replacing human writers with AI. Many observers note that while AI can assist with routine tasks, the nuanced storytelling, character development, and world‑building that define immersive games often require a human touch.
Critics argue that dismissing a writer in favor of a language model could set a precedent that undermines creative labor and erodes the value placed on narrative craftsmanship. Supporters of AI integration, however, point out that large language models can accelerate content production, reduce costs, and enable smaller studios to compete with larger publishers. They argue that, when used responsibly, AI can serve as a tool rather than a replacement, augmenting the capabilities of human creators.
In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive has pledged greater transparency moving forward. The company plans to publish a detailed breakdown of which specific components of Rideshare will be generated or assisted by AI, ranging from in‑game dialogue snippets to procedural mission generation. They also intend to establish a set of internal guidelines governing AI usage, ensuring that any automated content is reviewed by human editors before it reaches players.
Industry analysts suggest that this controversy could act as a catalyst for the formation of industry‑wide standards on AI disclosure. Similar to the way loot‑box regulations emerged after consumer outcry, there may soon be a push for mandatory labeling of AI‑generated content in games, providing players with clear information about what parts of the experience are human‑crafted versus machine‑generated.
For now, the focus remains on how Saber Interactive will navigate the fallout and rebuild trust with both its workforce and its community. The added AI disclaimer on Steam is a tangible step toward openness, but the company’s long‑term reputation will likely hinge on how consistently it upholds its promises of transparency, fair treatment of staff, and responsible AI deployment. In summary, Saber Interactive has responded to allegations of replacing a human writer with AI by publicly acknowledging the issue, issuing an apology, and adding a disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page. The incident has ignited a wider debate about the role of artificial intelligence in game development, the rights of creative professionals, and the need for clear industry guidelines.
As the conversation continues, both developers and players will be watching closely to see how these emerging technologies are integrated into the storytelling fabric of interactive entertainment.