Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current stance on AI usage and to address the accusations that were raised publicly.
The full wording of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed applications of AI within the game's creation." In the wake of those statements, Karch responded publicly, explaining that Sacco "was replaced by someone he considered more skilled and was terminated for a range of reasons a few months later," and he added that "in hindsight he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI if the situation called for it." During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch said, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or even seen her in person. 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." He continued, "We view our use of AI in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as a benefit for consumers, providing cost‑effective content and faster iteration." The controversy intensified over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, stating that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the terrible way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "From the beginning I have been firm that my account was truthful; it now appears that the facts support my claim. Matt expressed a desire to make things right with me.
At this point I’m not sure what that will look like, and I need time to consider it, but I do accept his apology." Karch also issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, where he admitted, "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 situation." The episode highlights several broader industry trends. First, the increasing reliance on AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other language models for generating in‑game dialogue, marketing copy, and even design documentation.
While these technologies can accelerate development cycles and reduce costs, they also raise ethical questions about authorship, credit, and the treatment of human staff. In Sacco’s case, the allegation that she was removed from a high‑visibility project and replaced by a machine‑learning system sparked a debate about whether AI should ever be used as a direct substitute for a skilled writer.
Second, the incident underscores the importance of transparent communication with both employees and the gaming community. When a studio publicly acknowledges the use of AI, it sets expectations for players regarding the nature of the content they will encounter. However, failure to disclose such practices promptly can erode trust, as seen in the backlash against Saber Interactive.
By adding the disclaimer, the company attempts to restore credibility and demonstrate a willingness to be open about its development pipeline. Third, the personal dynamics between executives and former staff members are on display. Karch’s admission that he reacted impulsively—"shot first and thought second"—offers a rare glimpse into the emotional pressures that can accompany public controversy.
His willingness to apologize, albeit in a somewhat guarded manner, may signal an effort to mitigate reputational damage and to possibly pave the way for a settlement or reconciliation with Sacco. From a legal perspective, the situation could involve questions of employment law, especially if Sacco’s termination was linked to her raising concerns about AI usage. Many jurisdictions are beginning to examine whether the replacement of human labor with automated systems constitutes unfair dismissal or discrimination. While no lawsuits have been filed at the time of writing, the public nature of the dispute could encourage other creators to scrutinize their own contracts and workplace policies.
For gamers, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer may be limited. Rideshare Simulator is marketed as an affordable title that simulates the day‑to‑day challenges of a rideshare driver, featuring realistic traffic patterns, passenger interactions, and city navigation. Whether AI contributed to the scripting of passenger dialogue, the design of tutorial prompts, or the creation of marketing assets is now partially disclosed, but the core gameplay experience is unlikely to change dramatically.
Nonetheless, players who value handcrafted narrative may choose to support titles that guarantee human‑written content, while others may appreciate the cost savings that AI can deliver. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI usage notice on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator reflects a growing need for transparency in an industry increasingly intertwined with machine‑learning tools. CEO Matt Karch’s public apology to former writer Stella Sacco acknowledges a misstep in communication and highlights the personal fallout that can accompany corporate decisions about technology. As the gaming world continues to explore the balance between human creativity and AI efficiency, incidents like this serve as cautionary tales for studios seeking to navigate the ethical and practical complexities of modern game development.