Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated debate erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The controversy began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who served as a writer on the project from July 2023 until July 2024, publicly alleged that she was removed from the development team midway through the game’s creation and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT.
Sacco also suggested that other, still‑unannounced aspects of the game’s production had incorporated AI tools without proper disclosure. In reaction to the accusations, Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a statement that attempted to clarify the situation.
He asserted that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and went on to say that, looking back, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI. Karch’s remarks were captured in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he added a somewhat flippant note: "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He further explained that the studio had already disclosed its intention to use AI for certain portions of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, especially given that Rideshare Simulator is positioned as a lower‑priced title.
"We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers," he said, suggesting that the technology could help keep costs down while still delivering a polished experience. The dispute moved onto social media over the weekend when Sacco posted on BlueSky, a newer micro‑blogging platform, 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, for his part, issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own lapse in judgment. "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 episode highlights several broader industry trends. First, the use of AI in game development is becoming increasingly common, ranging from procedural content generation to narrative assistance. However, the line between helpful tooling and outright replacement of creative staff remains blurry, and many developers are still working out best practices for transparency.
Second, the incident underscores the growing power of social media platforms—both established ones like LinkedIn and newer entrants like BlueSky—to shape public perception of corporate actions in real time. When a former employee shares a personal account, it can quickly snowball into a PR crisis that forces a company to respond publicly and adjust its policies. From a legal perspective, there are also questions about employment contracts and intellectual property.
If a writer is removed and their contributions are supplanted by an AI system, the company must consider whether any contractual obligations regarding credit, compensation, or confidentiality have been breached. While there is currently no definitive case law on AI‑generated content replacing human creators in the gaming sector, labor lawyers are beginning to advise studios on how to structure agreements that clearly delineate the role of AI tools. In terms of consumer impact, the addition of an AI disclaimer on the Steam page serves a dual purpose.
It informs potential buyers that some of the game's text, dialogue, or perhaps even design elements may have been produced by algorithms rather than human authors. This transparency can build trust among players who value handcrafted storytelling, while also reassuring those who appreciate the cost savings and rapid iteration that AI can provide.
Looking ahead, Saber Interactive may need to refine its internal communication processes to avoid similar misunderstandings. Clear documentation of who is responsible for each piece of content, along with a transparent decision‑making framework for when AI tools are employed, could help prevent future disputes. Moreover, offering a channel for former employees to voice concerns privately before they become public could mitigate the risk of reputational damage. In summary, the controversy surrounding Rideshare Simulator illustrates the growing pains of integrating artificial intelligence into creative workflows.
While the technology promises efficiency and new possibilities, it also raises ethical, legal, and interpersonal challenges that companies must navigate carefully. Saber Interactive's decision to place an AI disclaimer on its Steam listing, coupled with CEO Matt Karch's public apology and acknowledgment of his impulsive reaction, represents a step toward greater openness.
Whether this approach will satisfy critics, restore trust with the former writer, and set a precedent for other studios remains to be seen, but the conversation it has sparked will undoubtedly influence how the gaming industry approaches AI in the years to come.