Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, now visible to anyone browsing the game’s page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current stance on AI usage and to address the controversy that grew out of allegations made by a former employee. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber 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 AI tools used throughout the game's creation. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms.
Sacco was replaced by an individual 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 role with artificial intelligence. "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames.
"We have already announced that we are employing AI for certain components 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—a lower‑priced offering—as a benefit for consumers." The disclaimer also references a recent BlueSky post by Sacco in which she wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "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 later added 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 sequence of events began when Sacco, who served as the lead writer on Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that her position was terminated and that her writing duties were handed over to ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. She also suggested that other, still‑undisclosed AI tools had been integrated into the development pipeline, raising questions about the extent to which the game’s narrative and dialogue were generated by machines rather than human creativity. Sacco’s allegations quickly spread across industry forums, social media, and gaming news sites, igniting a broader debate about the ethical implications of replacing human writers with AI. Critics argued that such a practice could diminish the artistic integrity of video games, undermine employment for skilled writers, and potentially produce content that lacks nuance or emotional depth.
Supporters of AI, however, pointed out that the technology can accelerate production, reduce costs, and assist writers in brainstorming or polishing prose. Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded to the growing controversy during an interview with This Week In Videogames.
He appeared skeptical of Sacco’s claims, stating that he had never met her and had to consult an AI assistant named Claude to confirm her identity. Karch emphasized that the studio had already been transparent about employing AI for certain tasks and promised to update the Steam page once the feature list was finalized. He framed the use of AI as a consumer advantage, especially given the game’s positioning as an affordable title.
Following the interview, Sacco posted a brief update on the BlueSky social platform, acknowledging Karch’s apology but expressing uncertainty about what concrete steps would be taken to address the situation. She emphasized that she remained confident in the truth of her original statements and seemed to suggest that the apology was more symbolic than remedial at this stage. Karch’s subsequent LinkedIn comment added a personal dimension to the dispute.
He admitted that he had reacted impulsively after being “triggered” by later comments, describing his response as “shooting first and thinking second.” By framing his reaction as a human error, he sought to mitigate the backlash and convey a willingness to make amends. He also asserted that he had taken whatever actions were possible to rectify the matter, though he did not specify what those actions entailed. The incident has sparked a larger conversation within the gaming community about the role of AI in creative processes.
Industry observers note that while AI can be a powerful tool for generating placeholder text, translating large volumes of dialogue, or providing linguistic assistance, it is not a full replacement for the storytelling instincts, cultural awareness, and emotional resonance that seasoned writers bring to a project. The controversy also highlights the importance of clear communication and contractual transparency when AI is introduced into a development pipeline, especially when it may affect the duties or job security of existing staff. In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive has taken several concrete steps. The newly added disclaimer on Steam serves as a public acknowledgment that AI is being used, albeit without detailing the exact scope.
The company has also pledged to provide more detailed updates once the final feature set is locked, suggesting that future communications will be more precise about which aspects of the game are AI‑generated and which remain human‑crafted. From a legal perspective, the situation raises potential questions about employment contracts, intellectual property rights, and the attribution of creative work.
If a writer’s contributions are partially or wholly replaced by an algorithm, it may affect royalty calculations, credit listings, and the moral rights of the original author. Some labor advocates argue that companies should disclose AI usage up front and negotiate any changes to job responsibilities with affected employees. For gamers, the practical impact of AI on the final product remains to be seen.
Early reviewers of Rideshare Simulator have noted that the game’s core mechanics—its driving physics, mission structure, and visual design—appear solid, but some have remarked that the dialogue feels generic or repetitive, which could be a symptom of AI‑generated text. Whether these observations are directly tied to the controversy or simply reflect normal development challenges is still a matter of speculation. Overall, the Saber Interactive episode underscores the growing pains of an industry grappling with rapidly advancing technology. As AI tools become more capable, studios will need to balance efficiency gains with ethical considerations, employee relations, and the expectations of a community that values authentic, human‑driven storytelling.
The company’s decision to place an explicit AI disclaimer on its Steam page marks a step toward greater transparency, but the broader dialogue about how and when AI should be employed in game development is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.