Saber Interactive has now appended an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store listing for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a storm of criticism erupted over claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the company’s stance on AI usage and to address the allegations that a former employee was replaced by a language model.
The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Sacco has asserted that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications within the game’s creation process." In a subsequent interview, Karch countered Sacco’s statements, explaining that she "was replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, "in hindsight I would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI if the circumstances called for it." During an appearance on the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch further elaborated: "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her in person. We have already disclosed that we are employing AI for certain components of the game and will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalized." He continued, "We view our use of AI in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as a benefit to consumers, providing cost efficiencies that can be passed on to players." The controversy took another turn 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 have been firm from the beginning that my account was truthful; it now appears that the facts have been corroborated.
Matt expressed a desire to make things right with me. At this moment I am uncertain what that will look like, and I need time to consider it, but I do accept his apology." Karch later issued a separate public statement 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 admitted. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify the situation." The episode highlights a broader industry debate about the role of artificial intelligence in creative workflows. As game development budgets tighten and publishing timelines accelerate, studios are increasingly experimenting with AI tools for tasks ranging from procedural content generation to narrative drafting. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate production, reduce costs, and free human creators to focus on higher‑level design decisions. Critics, however, warn that reliance on machine‑generated text may undermine the authenticity of storytelling, marginalize skilled writers, and raise ethical concerns about attribution and labor practices.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the AI disclaimer serves multiple purposes. First, it provides transparency for consumers who may be curious—or concerned—about the extent to which a game’s dialogue, mission briefings, or marketing copy are human‑written versus algorithmically produced. Second, it attempts to mitigate reputational damage by showing that the company is willing to acknowledge and correct any missteps.
Finally, the notice may pre‑empt further regulatory scrutiny, as several jurisdictions are beginning to consider legislation that would require explicit labeling of AI‑generated content in media products. The fallout for Stella Sacco also underscores the personal toll such disputes can take on individual creators. Sacco’s tenure at Saber spanned a critical year of development, during which she contributed to the narrative framework and character voice of the simulation. Her claim that she was removed mid‑project and supplanted by ChatGPT raises questions about internal decision‑making processes and the criteria used to evaluate human versus AI contributions.
While Karch’s apology suggests an attempt at reconciliation, the exact terms of any settlement or professional remediation remain undisclosed. Industry observers note that this incident could serve as a cautionary tale for other studios navigating the integration of AI. Clear policies, open communication with staff, and robust documentation of AI usage are increasingly viewed as best practices. Companies that fail to articulate how and why they employ AI risk not only public backlash but also potential legal challenges related to employment contracts and intellectual property rights.
Looking ahead, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will continue to refine its AI strategy for Rideshare Simulator. The studio plans to release a detailed feature list once development reaches a stable milestone, at which point the Steam page will be updated to reflect the final balance between human craftsmanship and machine assistance.
In the meantime, the company urges players and the broader gaming community to watch for further announcements regarding the game’s pricing, launch timeline, and any additional AI‑related disclosures. Overall, the saga encapsulates the growing pains of an industry in transition—one where the promise of cutting‑edge technology collides with long‑standing expectations about creative authorship and workplace fairness.
As AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, studios like Saber Interactive will need to navigate these waters carefully, balancing efficiency gains with ethical responsibility, and ensuring that both their products and their people are treated with respect and transparency.