Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The controversy began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024, alleged that she was removed from the project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT.
Sacco also hinted at other, still‑undisclosed uses of AI throughout the game’s creation process. In reaction to these accusations, Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a statement that attempted to clarify the situation. He said that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that, looking back, he would have been comfortable substituting her role with an artificial‑intelligence system. Karch’s remarks suggested that the decision to bring AI into the workflow was not a last‑minute improvisation but rather a considered part of the development strategy.
During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch further distanced himself from 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 disclosed the use of AI for specific components of the game and that a more detailed update would be posted to the Steam page once the feature list was finalized.
According to Karch, employing AI in a lower‑priced title like Rideshare Simulator could be viewed as a benefit for consumers, implying cost savings or faster content generation that might translate into a lower purchase price. The dispute 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 that she had maintained her position from the outset, insisting that her account of events was truthful, and that recent developments seemed to confirm her claims. Sacco acknowledged Karch’s expressed desire to make amends but admitted she was unsure what that would look like for her personally, stating, "I’ll have to take some time to sit with it, but I do at least accept his apology." Karch later added a public comment on LinkedIn, where he admitted that his reaction had been impulsive. "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 addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page reflects a broader industry trend in which developers are increasingly transparent about the role of machine‑learning tools in their pipelines. While some gamers view AI‑generated assets and text as a shortcut that could compromise quality, others see the technology as a way to enhance creativity, reduce repetitive tasks, and keep production costs down.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, Saber Interactive appears to be positioning AI as a value‑adding feature for a budget‑friendly title, hoping to reassure players that the final product will still meet their expectations. The episode also raises questions about labor practices in the video‑game sector.
Writers, artists, and programmers have voiced concerns that AI could be used to replace skilled professionals, potentially eroding job security and diminishing the human touch that many argue is essential for compelling storytelling. Sacco’s claim that she was removed from the project and supplanted by a language model touches on these anxieties, highlighting the need for clear policies and open communication when AI is introduced into a creative workflow. From a legal standpoint, the use of AI in game development is still a gray area.
Copyright law, for instance, does not yet provide definitive guidance on who owns content generated by an algorithm, especially when the output is heavily influenced by human prompts. Companies like Saber must navigate these uncertainties while also considering the reputational risk of appearing to sideline human talent. In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive’s decision to post a formal disclaimer can be seen as an effort to mitigate potential fallout. The notice likely outlines which aspects of the game were assisted by AI—whether that be dialogue, mission descriptions, or environmental text—so that consumers are fully informed before making a purchase.
Transparency in this regard may help restore trust among players who feel uneasy about AI’s growing presence in their favorite medium. Karch’s public apology, though brief, signals an acknowledgement that his earlier comments may have been overly harsh or dismissive.
By admitting that he was "triggered" and acted without fully thinking through his response, he attempts to humanize himself and show a willingness to learn from the incident. Whether this apology will be enough to repair the relationship with Sacco—or to quell the broader concerns of the gaming community—remains to be seen.
Overall, the saga underscores a pivotal moment for the industry: as AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, developers must balance efficiency gains with ethical considerations, employee morale, and consumer expectations. Saber Interactive’s handling of the situation—adding a disclaimer, issuing a public apology, and promising further updates—offers a case study in how studios might navigate the delicate intersection of technology and talent in the years ahead.