Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated dispute surfaced concerning the company’s handling of a writer on the project. The controversy began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024, publicly claimed that she was removed from the development team midway through the game’s creation and that her duties were subsequently filled by a version of ChatGPT. Sacco also alleged that the studio had employed additional, undisclosed AI tools throughout the production process, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and labor practices in the gaming industry. In reaction to these accusations, Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a statement that attempted to clarify the situation.
He said that Sacco was "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 comfortable substituting her work with AI if the opportunity had presented itself. Karch’s remarks were captured in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he further confessed, "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 had already disclosed its intention to use AI for certain components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature list was finalized.
According to Karch, employing AI in a lower‑priced title like Rideshare Simulator should be viewed as a benefit for consumers, offering cost savings and potentially faster development cycles. The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social network 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." In a separate public comment on LinkedIn, Karch acknowledged his own emotional reaction, saying, "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 addition of the AI disclaimer on Steam is a direct response to the backlash and is intended to provide prospective players with clear information about the role artificial intelligence played in the game's creation.
The notice reads, in full, that the update follows comments from the CEO regarding the writer’s departure and the alleged substitution of her work with AI-generated text. By placing the disclaimer prominently on the store page, Saber hopes to demonstrate a commitment to transparency and to quell concerns from the gaming community about the ethical implications of using machine‑generated content without proper attribution. Industry observers note that this episode highlights a broader trend in video game development, where studios are increasingly turning to AI tools for tasks ranging from narrative generation to asset creation.
While AI can accelerate production and reduce costs, it also raises complex questions about intellectual property, creative credit, and the treatment of human talent. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the dispute centers on whether the company’s decision to replace a human writer with a language model was communicated honestly and whether the affected employee was treated fairly. Critics argue that the language used by Karch—particularly the claim that Sacco was replaced by "someone more talented"—could be interpreted as an attempt to diminish her contributions and justify the shift to AI.
Others point out that the CEO’s admission of acting impulsively, "shooting first and thinking second," suggests a lapse in professional judgment that may have exacerbated the conflict. The public nature of the apology, posted on both BlueSky and LinkedIn, indicates an effort to repair the damaged relationship, but it also leaves open the question of what concrete steps the company will take to make amends.
Potential remedies could include offering Sacco a severance package, publicly acknowledging her work, or providing a formal statement that details the specific AI tools used and the extent of their involvement. Some industry analysts recommend that studios develop clear policies governing AI usage, including guidelines for when AI can replace human labor and how to credit any contributions made by AI systems. Such policies could help prevent future misunderstandings and protect both employees and consumers from hidden practices.
For gamers, the key takeaway is that the final product—Rideshare Simulator—may contain narrative elements, dialogues, or in‑game text that were generated by AI. This does not necessarily diminish the quality of the experience, but it does shift the perception of authorship. Players who value handcrafted storytelling might view the AI involvement as a drawback, whereas those who prioritize innovation and cost‑effective production may see it as a forward‑thinking approach.
In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator is a direct reaction to a public dispute involving former writer Stella Sacco and CEO Matt Karch. The controversy underscores the growing pains of integrating artificial intelligence into creative workflows, especially when transparency and employee treatment are at stake. Karch’s apology and the company’s new disclaimer represent steps toward rebuilding trust, but the episode serves as a cautionary tale for other developers navigating the delicate balance between technological advancement and ethical responsibility.