Saber Interactive has now appended an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam listing for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which appears prominently on the game's storefront, is intended to clarify the company’s current stance on AI usage and to address the controversy surrounding the departure of former staff member Stella Sacco. The full text of the 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." In the original statement, Karch explained that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that "in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI." He went on to say, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames. Karch also noted, "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." According to the CEO, the decision to incorporate AI tools into the lower‑priced title is meant to be a benefit for players, stating, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers." The dispute intensified when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, claiming 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." Karch, for his part, issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction. He confessed, "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 highlights a broader industry debate about the role of AI in creative workflows. On one side, developers argue that machine‑learning models can accelerate content creation, generate placeholder assets, or assist with repetitive writing tasks, freeing human talent to focus on higher‑level design and storytelling. On the other side, critics warn that overreliance on AI may erode job security for writers, artists, and other creatives, and can lead to ethical concerns about attribution, originality, and the quality of the final product. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the original controversy stemmed from allegations that Sacco, who was hired as the lead writer for the project, was removed from the team midway through development.
According to her account, the studio substituted her contributions with text generated by ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI. She further suggested that additional, undisclosed AI tools were employed throughout the game's creation, though the specifics of those tools were not made public. Saber Interactive’s response has been two‑fold: first, to publicly acknowledge the use of AI in certain aspects of the game, and second, to provide a formal apology to Sacco for the way she was treated in the press.
The added disclaimer on Steam serves as a transparent marker for consumers, indicating that AI‑generated content may be present within the game’s narrative or documentation. Industry observers note that this incident may set a precedent for how studios handle AI disclosure moving forward.
Some platforms, such as the Epic Games Store, have already begun requiring developers to label AI‑generated assets, while others are still formulating policies. Steam, owned by Valve, has historically been more permissive, but the growing public scrutiny could prompt stricter guidelines. From a legal perspective, the use of AI raises questions about intellectual property rights.
If a piece of dialogue or description is produced by an algorithm, who holds the copyright? Current U.S. law generally requires a human author for works to be protected, meaning AI‑generated text may fall into the public domain unless a human curates and edits it substantially.
This ambiguity adds another layer of complexity for developers who wish to protect their creative output while leveraging AI efficiencies. For gamers, the practical impact of AI integration can vary. Some players may appreciate faster updates, more varied in‑game events, or richer procedural content.
Others might notice a loss of nuance or personality in the writing, especially if the AI lacks the contextual understanding that a seasoned writer brings. In Rideshare Simulator, a game that simulates the day‑to‑day experience of a rideshare driver, authentic dialogue and realistic scenarios are crucial for immersion.
The balance between efficiency and authenticity will likely influence player reception. Looking ahead, Matt Karch’s admission that he "shot first and thought second" reflects a broader cultural shift within tech companies toward greater accountability for communication and decision‑making.
By publicly acknowledging his misstep and committing to rectify the situation, he aligns with a growing trend where CEOs are expected to own their words and actions, especially when they affect employees and the public perception of the brand. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page, coupled with CEO Matt Karch’s apology to former lead writer Stella Sacco, underscores the evolving conversation about artificial intelligence in game development.
The incident serves as a case study for how studios might navigate transparency, employee relations, and consumer expectations as AI tools become increasingly integrated into creative pipelines. The outcome will likely influence future policies, both within Saber Interactive and across the wider gaming industry, as stakeholders strive to balance innovation with ethical responsibility.