Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game’s development. This move comes after a heated dispute that erupted when former writer Stella Sacco claimed she was removed from the project midway and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications.
The full text of the new AI 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 wake of Sacco’s allegations, Karch offered a public statement. He said that Sacco had "been replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." He further explained that he had never actually met or spoken with Sacco, noting, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." Karch continued, "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. We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers." The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on 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 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 admitted. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The incident highlights a broader industry conversation about the role of AI in creative processes, especially in narrative‑driven games. While AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other language models can accelerate content generation, they also raise questions about authorship, credit, and the ethical treatment of human writers.
Critics argue that replacing a seasoned writer with an algorithm can diminish the nuance and emotional depth that a human can bring to a story. Proponents, however, point out that AI can handle repetitive tasks, generate placeholder text, and free up writers to focus on higher‑level storytelling.
In Saber Interactive’s case, the company appears to be positioning the AI integration as a consumer benefit, emphasizing cost‑effectiveness for a lower‑priced title. The disclaimer aims to be transparent, but the timing—following a public dispute—suggests a reactive approach rather than a proactive communication strategy.
Industry observers note that the gaming sector has seen a surge in AI experimentation over the past two years, with studios using procedural generation for environments, AI‑driven dialogue systems, and even AI‑assisted animation pipelines. Yet, the human element remains crucial, especially when it comes to crafting compelling characters and emotionally resonant narratives.
The fallout from this episode may prompt other developers to reconsider how they disclose AI usage to their audiences. Clear, upfront communication can help avoid misunderstandings and protect the reputations of both the studio and the individual creators involved. Moreover, establishing fair compensation and attribution practices for writers whose work may be supplemented—or in some cases supplanted—by AI could become a standard industry expectation. For now, Saber Interactive has taken steps to address the immediate controversy by adding the AI disclaimer and by offering an apology through its CEO.
Whether these measures will be sufficient to rebuild trust with the writing community and the game’s player base remains to be seen. The situation serves as a cautionary tale about the need for transparency, respect for creative talent, and thoughtful integration of emerging technologies in game development.