Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy erupted surrounding claims that the company had dismissed a writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, now visible to anyone browsing the game’s storefront, acknowledges the use of AI tools in the development process and attempts to clarify the circumstances that led to the public dispute. The full wording of the new 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 essence, the statement is a direct response to a series of statements made by both parties that have been widely reported in gaming news outlets. According to the former writer, Stella Sacco, she was hired by Saber Interactive in mid‑2023 to serve as the lead narrative designer for Rideshare Simulator.
After roughly a year of work, Sacco alleges that the company abruptly terminated her employment, removed her contributions from the project, and substituted her with content generated by the language model ChatGPT. She also suggested that additional, undisclosed AI tools had been employed throughout the game's creation, raising questions about the authenticity of the writing and the ethical considerations of replacing human creators with machine‑generated text. Matt Karch, the chief executive officer of Saber Interactive, responded publicly to these accusations.
He claimed that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." Karch’s remarks were intended to convey that the decision to part ways with Sacco was based on performance and strategic considerations rather than a blanket preference for AI. However, his comment that he would have been comfortable using AI in her stead was interpreted by many as an admission that the company was indeed open to, if not actively pursuing, AI‑generated content. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch further elaborated on his limited personal interaction with Sacco. He said, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," referencing Claude, an AI assistant, as a humorous way to illustrate his lack of direct contact. He went on to acknowledge that Saber was already employing AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers," he added, framing the technology as a benefit rather than a controversy. The dispute took another turn when Sacco posted on the social network BlueSky over the weekend, stating 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 also issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding drama. "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 situation highlights a broader industry conversation about the role of AI in creative fields, especially video game development where narrative, dialogue, and world‑building have traditionally been the domain of human writers. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate production, reduce costs, and provide fresh ideas, while critics warn that over‑reliance on machine‑generated text could diminish the quality of storytelling and undermine the livelihoods of professional writers. For Saber Interactive, the addition of the AI disclaimer serves multiple purposes.
First, it provides transparency to consumers who may be concerned about the authenticity of the game's narrative. Second, it attempts to mitigate any legal or reputational risk that could arise from accusations of undisclosed AI usage. Finally, it signals to the broader gaming community that the company is aware of the controversy and is taking steps—however modest—to address it.
From a consumer standpoint, the disclaimer may influence purchasing decisions. Players who value handcrafted storytelling might view the AI involvement as a negative, while those more interested in gameplay mechanics or price might see it as an innovative use of technology that could lower the game's cost. The disclaimer also sets a precedent for other developers who are navigating the gray area between traditional content creation and emerging AI capabilities.
In the weeks ahead, observers will be watching how Saber Interactive implements the promised updates to the Steam page and whether any further statements from either party clarify the specifics of the AI tools used, the timeline of Sacco's employment, and the exact nature of the "replacement" that occurred. The company's handling of this issue could serve as a case study for the industry, illustrating both the pitfalls and the potential pathways for integrating AI responsibly while maintaining respect for human creators.
Overall, the episode underscores the importance of clear communication, ethical considerations, and the need for balanced policies when deploying AI in creative projects. As technology continues to evolve, the gaming sector will likely face more such dilemmas, making transparency and accountability essential components of any successful development strategy.