Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had sidelined a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The controversy centers on former staff member Stella Sacco, who served as a lead writer on the project from July 2023 until July 2024.
According to Sacco, she was removed from the development team midway through production and her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT, a large language model, while other, still‑undisclosed AI tools were allegedly employed throughout the game’s creation. The full text of the newly posted AI disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who worked at Saber from July 2023 to July 2024, and stated she was removed from Rideshare midway through development and replaced with ChatGPT, while alleging other then‑unannounced use of AI in the game's development." The notice makes clear that the company acknowledges the use of AI in certain aspects of the game, but it also signals an attempt to be transparent with the community about those practices.
When pressed for comment, CEO Matt Karch offered a mixed explanation. He asserted that Sacco "was replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and went on to say, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." Karch’s remarks appeared in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he added, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." The reference to Claude, another AI chatbot, underscored the tone of his response and suggested a degree of detachment from the human writer in question. Karch also emphasized that the company’s use of AI is intended to benefit consumers, describing the upcoming title as a "lower‑priced" offering that would incorporate AI‑driven features as a value‑add.
"We have already said we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalised the feature set," he said, implying that the current disclaimer is only a preliminary step. The dispute took a public turn on the social platform BlueSky, where Sacco posted 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." Her statement reflects both a lingering hurt over the way the situation was handled and a tentative willingness to consider reconciliation.
Karch later issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction. "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." This admission of impulsive behavior was intended to soften the criticism and demonstrate a willingness to make amends, though many observers noted that the apology arrived after considerable public backlash.
The episode raises broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, especially in narrative‑driven games where writing has traditionally been a highly human‑centric craft. Industry analysts point out that while AI can accelerate certain tasks—such as generating placeholder dialogue, localising text, or providing inspiration for story beats—it still struggles with nuance, emotional depth, and cultural sensitivity. Critics argue that replacing a seasoned writer with a language model may compromise the quality of the final product, potentially alienating players who value rich storytelling. From a legal and ethical standpoint, the situation also touches on employment practices.
If an employee is terminated and their duties are subsequently assigned to an AI system, questions arise about fairness, transparency, and the adequacy of severance or compensation. Labor advocates suggest that companies should establish clear policies regarding AI integration, ensuring that workers are informed about how their roles might evolve and that any displacement is handled responsibly.
For gamers, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer may be mixed. Some players welcome the prospect of lower‑priced titles that leverage AI to reduce development costs, hoping that savings will be passed on in the form of more affordable games. Others remain skeptical, fearing that AI‑generated content could feel generic or lack the polish of human‑crafted narratives.
The upcoming Rideshare Simulator will serve as a test case: its reception will likely influence how other studios approach AI adoption in future projects. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to post an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator reflects an attempt to address community concerns after a contentious dispute involving former writer Stella Sacco. CEO Matt Karch’s public apologies—both on BlueSky and LinkedIn—acknowledge his missteps and signal a willingness to engage with the criticism.
The incident highlights the growing tension between technological efficiency and creative authenticity in game development, prompting both industry insiders and players to consider how AI should be responsibly integrated into the storytelling process. The ultimate verdict on whether AI can coexist harmoniously with human writers will likely depend on the quality of the final product and the transparency with which studios communicate their methods.