Saber Interactive has now appended an explicit AI usage disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator, a move prompted by a heated dispute surrounding claims that the studio had dismissed a key writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which appears prominently on the game’s page, aims to clarify the company’s stance on artificial‑intelligence tools and to address the controversy that erupted after former staff member Stella Sacco alleged that her role was eliminated mid‑development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024.
Sacco has publicly stated that she was removed from the Rideshare project halfway through its creation and that her duties were taken over by an AI language model, while also alleging additional, undisclosed AI applications throughout the game's development. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms.
Sacco was replaced by a colleague he described as 'more talented' and that her contract was terminated for a range of reasons a few months later. He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI." The disclaimer continues, quoting Karch’s own words from a recent interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames: "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referring to the AI model Claude.
"We have already disclosed that we are employing AI for certain elements of the game and will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalized." Karch also framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, stating, "We view our AI integration in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as an added advantage for players." The dispute escalated when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, noting 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 I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it has 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 statement on LinkedIn in which he admitted his reaction had been overly emotional. "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 background to this controversy begins in mid‑2023, when Sacco was hired as the lead writer for Rideshare Simulator, a simulation game that aims to capture the day‑to‑day experience of rideshare drivers. According to her account, after roughly a year of work, she was abruptly removed from the project. Sacco alleges that the studio opted to replace her narrative contributions with output generated by ChatGPT, a popular language model developed by OpenAI.
She also suggested that other aspects of the game—potentially level design, dialogue, or marketing copy—might have been supplemented with AI, though those claims remain unverified. Matt Karch’s initial public response was defensive. He framed Sacco’s departure as a personnel decision unrelated to AI, emphasizing that she was supplanted by a writer he deemed more capable.
He also hinted that, retrospectively, he might have considered using AI as a cost‑saving measure, a comment that further inflamed the debate among developers, journalists, and gamers who are closely watching the industry’s evolving relationship with artificial‑intelligence tools. Industry observers note that the use of AI in game development is a gray area.
While AI can accelerate tasks such as generating placeholder text, concept art, or even procedural dialogue, the ethical considerations become murkier when AI replaces a human creator’s core contributions without transparent acknowledgment. Labor unions and writers’ guilds have warned that undisclosed AI substitution could undermine creative labor standards and erode the value of human storytelling. In light of the backlash, Saber Interactive’s decision to add the AI disclaimer appears to be an attempt to bring transparency to its development pipeline.
The notice not only addresses the specific allegations involving Sacco but also signals a broader policy shift: the studio intends to be forthcoming about where and how AI is employed in its products. This aligns with a growing trend among publishers to disclose AI usage, either through storefront updates, press releases, or in‑game acknowledgments, in order to preempt criticism and comply with emerging regulations. The apology from Karch, though brief, marks a rare moment of public contrition in a sector where disputes over AI are often handled behind closed doors.
By acknowledging his impulsive reaction—"shot first and thought second"—Karch humanizes the situation, but also underscores the pressure executives face when navigating rapidly evolving technology and public scrutiny. For Sacco, the path forward remains uncertain.
While she has accepted Karch’s apology, she has not detailed what restitution she expects, whether it be a public correction, financial compensation, or a formal acknowledgment of her contributions. Her statement that she will “take some time to sit with it” suggests that negotiations or further dialogue may be forthcoming.
The episode serves as a cautionary tale for studios that are experimenting with AI. Transparency, clear communication, and respect for the creative workforce are emerging as essential components of responsible AI integration.
As the industry continues to explore the capabilities of language models, image generators, and procedural content tools, the balance between efficiency and ethical labor practices will likely shape both public perception and regulatory frameworks. In summary, Saber Interactive has responded to accusations of replacing a human writer with AI by posting a detailed disclaimer on Steam, clarifying its AI usage, and issuing an apology from its CEO.
The situation highlights the broader challenges the gaming industry faces as it grapics with the integration of artificial intelligence, the importance of clear disclosure, and the need for respectful treatment of creative talent.