Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the company had removed a human writer from the project in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the role that AI tools played in the development process and to address the concerns raised by former staff 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 former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms. Sacco alleges that she was taken off the Rideshare Simulator team midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by the language model ChatGPT. She also claims that other, as‑yet‑unpublicized, AI‑driven techniques were employed throughout the game’s creation." In his public response, Karch countered those 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, "in hindsight I would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI if the situation called for it." He further emphasized that the studio had already been transparent about its use of artificial intelligence for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down.
During an interview with the video‑game podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch made a striking comment: "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that the company’s policy was to employ AI tools where they could add value, especially for a lower‑priced title like Rideshare Simulator, which the studio views as a consumer benefit rather than a cost‑cutting measure. The controversy escalated over the weekend when Sacco posted a message 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.
"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 raises broader questions about the evolving role of AI in creative industries, particularly in video‑game development where narrative, dialogue, and world‑building have traditionally relied on human writers. Proponents of AI argue that language models can accelerate content creation, reduce repetitive tasks, and enable smaller studios to produce richer experiences on tighter budgets. Critics, however, warn that over‑reliance on machine‑generated text can dilute artistic voice, undermine employment for skilled writers, and lead to ethical dilemmas when credit and compensation are unclear.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game is positioned as a more affordable, niche title aimed at players interested in the logistics and operational challenges of managing a ride‑hailing service. Saber Interactive has suggested that the AI components are limited to certain in‑game prompts, tutorial text, and possibly some procedural dialogue, while core story beats and design decisions remain under human supervision. The company’s decision to add a disclaimer signals an attempt to be transparent with consumers who may be wary of AI‑generated content, especially after recent high‑profile disputes in the industry involving other studios.
From a legal standpoint, the use of AI in copyrighted works is still a gray area. While the output of a language model can be considered a tool, the extent to which the studio must attribute or compensate the original creators of the training data remains unsettled. In this context, the public apology from Karch may also serve to mitigate potential reputational damage and pre‑empt any legal claims that could arise from the alleged dismissal of a writer in favor of a machine. The broader gaming community has reacted with a mix of support and skepticism.
Some players appreciate the honesty and view the AI disclaimer as a responsible step toward greater transparency. Others remain concerned that the reliance on AI could become a slippery slope, leading to reduced opportunities for human writers and a homogenization of game narratives.
Industry observers note that this episode could become a case study for how studios navigate the balance between technological innovation and respect for creative labor. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive says it will continue to monitor the impact of AI on its development pipelines and will keep the Steam page updated as more details become finalised. The studio has pledged to engage with its audience, gather feedback, and adjust its policies if necessary to ensure that the final product meets both quality standards and ethical expectations. In summary, the addition of an AI disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator’s Steam listing reflects a growing awareness within the gaming sector of the need for clarity around machine‑assisted content creation.
CEO Matt Karch’s public apology to former writer Stella Sacco underscores the personal and professional tensions that can arise when AI is introduced into traditionally human‑centric roles. As the industry continues to experiment with AI tools, the dialogue sparked by this incident will likely influence how future games are marketed, developed, and received by players worldwide.