Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated debate erupted over claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The company’s decision to publicly acknowledge the use of AI was prompted by a series of statements from its chief executive, Matt Karch, concerning the departure of former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024. According to Sacco’s account, she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its development cycle and her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT, a large‑language model.
She also alleged that other, still‑undisclosed, portions of the game’s creation had relied on artificial‑intelligence tools. In response, Karch issued a statement saying that Sacco had "been replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that, looking back, he "would have been happy to replace her with AI." The full AI disclaimer now displayed on the Steam page reads as follows: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who worked at Saber from July 2023 to July 2024, and stated she was removed from Rideshare midway through development and replaced with ChatGPT, while alleging other then‑unannounced use of AI in the game's development. In response, Karch stated that Sacco was 'replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later,' and added that 'in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI.'" During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch appeared flummoxed by Sacco’s claims. He said, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," indicating that he had never met the writer in person. He went on to confirm that the studio was indeed employing AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down.
"We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers," Karch added, framing the technology as a consumer benefit rather than a controversial shortcut. The controversy spilled over onto social media platforms.
Over the weekend, Sacco posted on BlueSky, a micro‑blogging service, 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, attempting to explain 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 admitted. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The incident raises several broader questions about the evolving role of AI in game development. On one hand, developers argue that AI can accelerate content creation, generate placeholder text, and assist with localization, thereby reducing costs and speeding up production pipelines.
On the other hand, critics worry that reliance on machine‑generated prose could marginalize skilled writers, dilute narrative quality, and create ethical dilemmas around attribution and transparency. Industry observers note that the gaming sector has been experimenting with AI tools for years, from procedural level design to voice synthesis. However, the public disclosure of AI‑generated narrative content remains relatively rare, and many studios prefer to keep such practices behind the scenes.
Saber Interactive's decision to place a disclaimer on its Steam page is therefore a noteworthy moment of openness, whether motivated by genuine accountability or a strategic move to manage public relations fallout. From a legal standpoint, the use of AI‑generated text can intersect with copyright law, especially when the output is heavily derived from existing copyrighted material. While large‑language models are trained on vast datasets, the resulting text is often considered a novel creation, but the boundaries are still being tested in courts worldwide.
Companies that fail to disclose AI involvement might face consumer backlash or even regulatory scrutiny if the practice is deemed deceptive. For writers like Sacco, the situation underscores the precarious nature of employment in an industry increasingly open to automation.
Her claim that she was replaced by a chatbot highlights a potential shift in how narrative responsibilities are allocated. Some experts suggest that rather than eliminating human writers, AI could serve as a collaborative partner—providing drafts, brainstorming ideas, or handling repetitive tasks—while seasoned writers focus on higher‑level storytelling, character development, and emotional resonance. In the wake of the controversy, Saber Interactive has pledged to monitor its AI usage closely and to keep the community informed. The company plans to release further updates on the Steam page once the final set of AI‑assisted features is confirmed.
Meanwhile, Matt Karch has expressed a willingness to make amends with Sacco, though the exact terms of any reconciliation remain unclear. The episode serves as a case study for other developers navigating the delicate balance between technological innovation and human talent. It illustrates how quickly public perception can turn when transparency is perceived to be lacking, and it demonstrates the importance of clear communication when integrating cutting‑edge tools into creative workflows.
As AI continues to mature, the gaming industry will likely see more explicit disclosures, policy revisions, and perhaps new standards governing the ethical use of machine‑generated content. In summary, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator's Steam listing reflects both a reactive measure to address criticism and a proactive step toward greater openness about AI involvement.
CEO Matt Karch's public apology to former writer Stella Sacco acknowledges personal missteps, while the broader dialogue about AI's role in game development continues to evolve, prompting studios, creators, and players alike to reconsider how technology and human creativity can coexist responsibly.