Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated controversy erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The new notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s Steam page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current and future use of AI technologies in the development process, and to address the concerns raised by former employee Stella Sacco and the broader gaming community. The controversy began when former Saber writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024, publicly alleged that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, the popular language model developed by OpenAI. Sacco also hinted that other, still‑undisclosed aspects of the game’s creation had involved artificial‑intelligence tools, suggesting a broader pattern of AI integration that had not been disclosed to the public or to the development team.
In response to these accusations, Saber Interactive’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a statement that both defended the studio’s personnel decisions and acknowledged the role of AI in the project. Karch claimed that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This comment was widely interpreted as an admission that the company considered, or perhaps even executed, a substitution of human labor with machine‑generated content.
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 Saber had already been transparent about employing AI for certain components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature set was finalized.
Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, especially given that Rideshare Simulator is positioned as a lower‑priced title. He argued that leveraging AI could reduce production costs, potentially allowing the studio to pass savings on to players in the form of a lower retail price. The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, 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." Sacco’s message indicated a willingness to move forward, but also underscored the lingering uncertainty about what concrete steps the studio would take to address her grievances.
Karch later posted a public comment on LinkedIn, offering a more personal reflection on his reaction. 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." This admission of impulsive behavior was an attempt to humanise his error, acknowledging that his initial response was driven by emotion rather than measured deliberation. The addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page marks a tangible outcome of this dispute.
The notice reads, in full, that the studio is employing artificial‑intelligence tools for specific aspects of Rideshare Simulator, and that the feature set will be clarified once development is complete. By making this information publicly visible, Saber Interactive aims to pre‑empt further accusations of secrecy and to align with emerging industry standards that call for transparency around AI usage. The broader gaming community has been watching the saga closely, as it touches on several hot‑button issues: the ethics of replacing human writers with AI, the responsibility of developers to disclose AI involvement, and the impact of AI on creative quality. Some commentators argue that AI can be a useful assistant for generating placeholder text or iterating on design ideas, while others warn that over‑reliance on machine‑generated content could erode the nuanced storytelling that players expect from narrative‑driven games.
Industry analysts also note that the controversy arrives at a time when major platforms, including Steam, are beginning to draft guidelines for AI disclosure. While no universal standard has yet been adopted, the trend suggests that developers who fail to be forthcoming about AI integration may face reputational risk and potential backlash from both consumers and peers. For Saber Interactive, the episode serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of clear communication and respectful treatment of staff.
The company’s decision to publicly acknowledge AI usage and to issue an apology—albeit a measured one—demonstrates an awareness that trust is a valuable commodity in the digital entertainment market. Whether the apology will translate into concrete reparations for Sacco, or into policy changes that protect future writers, remains to be seen. In summary, Saber Interactive has responded to allegations of AI‑driven writer replacement by adding a formal disclaimer to its Steam page, clarifying its use of AI in Rideshare Simulator, and by having CEO Matt Karch publicly apologise for his earlier remarks about former writer Stella Sacco. The incident highlights ongoing debates about AI ethics in game development, the need for transparency, and the human element that remains central to creative work, even as technology continues to evolve.