Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store listing for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the company had dismissed a key writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The new notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s Steam page, is intended to clarify the extent to which machine‑learning tools were employed during development and to address concerns raised by the gaming community and media outlets. The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed AI usage 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 she was terminated for a range of reasons a few months later.
He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI. "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 using AI for certain aspects of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalized the feature set.
"We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers." The controversy erupted when Sacco posted on the social‑media platform BlueSky over the weekend, stating that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "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 issued a separate public comment 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." The incident shines a spotlight on a broader industry debate about the role of artificial intelligence in creative processes. While many developers tout AI as a time‑saving tool for tasks such as procedural content generation, texture upscaling, or even drafting dialogue, critics argue that reliance on machine‑generated text can undermine the contributions of human writers, especially when it leads to abrupt personnel changes. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the allegation that a writer was replaced mid‑project by a language model raised questions about transparency, labor practices, and the ethical boundaries of AI deployment in narrative design.
From a business perspective, Saber Interactive appears to be positioning the AI usage as a consumer advantage, particularly because Rideshare Simulator is slated to be a lower‑priced offering. The company suggests that leveraging AI can reduce production costs, potentially allowing for a more affordable retail price or additional content updates post‑launch. However, the backlash indicates that many players and industry observers are less concerned with price points and more focused on the integrity of the creative process and the treatment of staff. The CEO’s public apology and the addition of the disclaimer may be seen as damage‑control measures aimed at rebuilding trust.
By openly acknowledging the controversy and providing a formal statement on the Steam page, Saber hopes to demonstrate accountability. Yet, the effectiveness of such gestures will likely depend on subsequent actions: whether the company implements clearer internal policies about AI usage, offers compensation or acknowledgment to the former writer, and maintains transparent communication with its community moving forward. In the weeks ahead, the gaming press will be watching closely to see how Saber Interactive finalizes its AI feature set for Rideshare Simulator. Will the final product include AI‑generated dialogue, mission objectives, or dynamic traffic scenarios?
Will the company provide a detailed breakdown of which aspects are human‑crafted versus machine‑assisted? Answers to these questions will shape public perception not only of this particular title but also of the broader trend of AI integration in video game development. Ultimately, the episode underscores a pivotal moment for the industry: as AI tools become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, studios must navigate a delicate balance between innovation, cost efficiency, and respect for the creative professionals who bring games to life.
Saber Interactive’s recent actions—adding a disclaimer, issuing an apology, and promising further updates—represent one possible pathway toward that balance, but the conversation is far from settled. The outcome will likely influence how other developers approach AI transparency, labor relations, and consumer communication in the years to come.