Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit AI usage disclaimer to the Steam page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated controversy erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of artificial‑intelligence‑generated copy. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game's storefront, is intended to clarify the role that AI tools have played in the development process and to address the concerns raised by former employee Stella Sacco and members of the gaming community. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, concerning the involvement of 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 Simulator project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during the creation of the game." In response to those allegations, Mr.
Karch publicly asserted that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that "in hindsight I would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI if the circumstances called for it." He further explained during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames that he had never actually met or spoken with Sacco, saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." Karch continued, "We have already disclosed that we are employing AI for certain aspects of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalized the feature set.
We view the use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers, offering cost savings and potentially faster content iteration." The situation escalated over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, 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." Karch later issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding drama.
He wrote, "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. It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The controversy touches on several broader industry trends. First, the increasing reliance on AI language models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and others for generating in‑game dialogue, marketing copy, and even narrative design has sparked debates about authorship, quality, and the ethics of replacing human creatives. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate production pipelines, reduce costs, and enable smaller studios to punch above their weight.
Critics, however, warn that over‑reliance on machine‑generated text can dilute the nuance and emotional resonance that human writers bring, and may lead to job displacement. Second, the incident underscores the importance of transparent communication with both employees and the public. When allegations of AI substitution surface, stakeholders expect clear policies and disclosures.
By adding the AI disclaimer, Saber Interactive is attempting to meet that expectation, but the timing—after public accusations—has led some observers to view the move as reactive rather than proactive. Third, the personal dynamics between Karch and Sacco illustrate how quickly professional disagreements can become public spectacles in the age of social media. Sacco’s decision to share her perspective on BlueSky and Karch’s subsequent LinkedIn apology highlight a growing trend where internal workplace disputes are aired on public platforms, prompting companies to manage reputational risk in real time.
From a consumer standpoint, the impact of AI on a game like Rideshare Simulator may be relatively modest. The title is positioned as a lower‑priced experience, and the studio has framed AI usage as a cost‑saving measure that could translate into a lower retail price or additional content for players. However, gamers who value narrative depth and authentic writing may remain skeptical, especially if they suspect that key story elements were generated without human oversight.
Looking ahead, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will continue to refine its AI strategy and will provide updates as the feature set for Rideshare Simulator solidifies. The company’s leadership has pledged to "rectify" any missteps and to maintain an open dialogue with the community. Whether these assurances will be enough to restore confidence among former staff, industry peers, and players remains to be seen.
In summary, the addition of an AI disclaimer to the Steam page marks a significant moment for Saber Interactive, reflecting both the practical realities of modern game development and the growing scrutiny of AI's role in creative work. CEO Matt Karch’s public apology to former writer Stella Sacco acknowledges a miscommunication that escalated into a broader debate about ethics, transparency, and the future of human‑AI collaboration in the gaming sector.