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 wave of controversy erupted surrounding claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The new notice, which now appears prominently on the game's storefront, is intended to clarify the company’s current and planned use of machine‑learning tools in the development process, and to address the concerns raised by former employee Stella Sacco and members of the gaming community. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, concerning the involvement of writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024.
Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project midway through its development cycle and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by a large‑language model, specifically ChatGPT. She also claims that other, as‑yet‑unannounced, AI tools were employed throughout the creation of the game. In response, Mr.
Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as "more talented," and that she was terminated a few months later for a range of reasons.
He added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her role with artificial intelligence. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Mr. Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames.
"We have already announced that we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalized the feature set." "We view our use of AI in this particular title, which will be offered at a lower price point, as a benefit to consumers." In a separate post on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, Ms. Sacco wrote that Mr. Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "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." Mr.
Karch also issued a public comment on LinkedIn, stating, "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 episode began when several members of the gaming press reported that Stella Sacco, who had been hired as the lead narrative designer for Rideshare Simulator, was abruptly removed from the project in early 2024. According to Sacco’s statements, her departure was not the result of a typical performance review or a mutual agreement, but rather a decision to replace her contributions with content generated by ChatGPT, an AI model developed by OpenAI. She further alleged that the studio had employed additional AI tools for tasks such as environmental description, character dialogue, and even some aspects of level design, though those uses had not been publicly disclosed at the time. The allegations struck a chord within the broader industry conversation about the role of AI in creative fields.
While many developers have begun experimenting with generative models to speed up asset creation or to brainstorm ideas, the notion of substituting a human writer—especially one with a contractual role—raised ethical questions about job security, authorship, and transparency. Matt Karch, the CEO of Saber Interactive, initially responded in a candid interview with This Week In Videogames.
He appeared to downplay the seriousness of the accusations, suggesting that the writer had been replaced by "someone more talented" and that the decision to consider AI as a future option was merely a strategic choice. His remark, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," was widely interpreted as dismissive, fueling further backlash from both fans and industry observers. The situation escalated when Sacco took to BlueSky, a micro‑blogging platform, to share her perspective. In her post, she emphasized that she had consistently maintained the truth of her claims and that recent developments seemed to confirm her narrative.
She noted that Karch had expressed a desire to make amends, but she was uncertain what concrete actions would look like, indicating that she needed time to process the apology. Karch’s subsequent LinkedIn statement attempted to soften the narrative by admitting that he had reacted impulsively: "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 framed his reaction as a human error and promised to take steps to rectify the situation. In the wake of these exchanges, Saber Interactive decided to add the AI disclaimer to the Steam page.
The notice serves multiple purposes: it acknowledges the public’s right to know how AI is being used in the game, it attempts to restore trust by being transparent about the technology stack, and it positions the company’s use of AI as a consumer benefit, especially given the game's lower price tier. Industry analysts have pointed out that this incident could become a case study for how studios handle AI‑related controversies.
Transparency, they argue, is crucial; developers who openly disclose the extent of AI assistance can avoid accusations of deception. Moreover, clear policies regarding the replacement of human staff with AI tools are essential to maintain morale and public goodwill. From a broader perspective, the Rideshare Simulator controversy highlights a transitional moment in video game development.
As large language models become more sophisticated, they offer compelling advantages—rapid prototyping, cost savings, and the ability to generate large volumes of text. However, they also raise questions about creative ownership, the value of human craftsmanship, and the ethical implications of automating roles traditionally held by artists and writers. For consumers, the key takeaway is that the final product may contain a blend of human‑crafted narrative and AI‑augmented content. Saber Interactive’s statement that this hybrid approach is intended to be a "plus for consumers" suggests that the company believes AI can enhance the player experience, perhaps by providing more varied dialogue options or richer world‑building details without inflating the price.
Looking ahead, the industry will likely see more studios publishing similar AI disclosures, especially as regulatory bodies begin to consider guidelines for AI usage in entertainment media. The Saber Interactive episode underscores the importance of clear communication, respectful treatment of staff, and the need for thoughtful integration of emerging technologies. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator follows a contentious series of events involving the dismissal of writer Stella Sacco, accusations of AI substitution, and a public apology from CEO Matt Karch. The company now frames its AI usage as a consumer benefit while acknowledging past missteps and promising greater transparency moving forward.