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. The move comes after a heated dispute that erupted when former staff member Stella Sacco claimed that the studio had dismissed her from the project in favor of employing AI‑generated text. In her statements, Sacco said she was let go midway through the production cycle and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI tools that the company allegedly used throughout the creation of the simulation. 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." By placing this notice on the Steam page, Saber aims to be transparent with its community about the role that machine‑learning models played in shaping the game's narrative, dialogue, and marketing copy.
When pressed for clarification, Matt Karch responded publicly, describing Sacco as "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later." He added that, in hindsight, he would have been "happy to replace her with AI," a comment that only intensified the controversy. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch said, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that the studio had already disclosed that AI would be employed for specific aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature set was finalized. "We view our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a benefit for consumers," Karch asserted.
The dispute took another turn when Sacco posted on the social network BlueSky over the weekend, noting 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 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 admitted.
"It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The controversy touches on broader industry concerns about the growing reliance on AI for content creation. Game developers have increasingly turned to large language models to generate dialogue, quest descriptions, and even marketing blurbs, citing speed and cost‑effectiveness. However, critics argue that replacing human writers with algorithms can undermine creative integrity, lead to homogenized storytelling, and raise ethical questions about credit and compensation.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the alleged replacement of a human writer with ChatGPT sparked a debate about the transparency of AI usage. Players and journalists alike questioned whether the studio had been forthright about the extent of automation in the game's narrative pipeline. By adding the disclaimer, Saber hopes to quell some of the backlash, but the damage to its reputation among certain segments of the gaming community may linger.
Industry observers note that this incident could serve as a cautionary tale for other studios. When AI tools are integrated into development, clear communication with both internal teams and the public is essential. Companies are encouraged to establish policies that define when and how AI can be used, ensure that human contributors are properly acknowledged, and provide avenues for addressing grievances. For Sacco, the experience has been a personal and professional ordeal.
She has publicly maintained that her claims are accurate and that the studio's handling of the situation was unfair. While she has accepted Karch's apology, she also emphasized that she needs time to process the events and determine what, if any, further steps she wishes to take. From a consumer perspective, the AI disclaimer may influence purchasing decisions.
Some players appreciate the honesty and view AI assistance as a way to deliver more content at a lower price point. Others remain skeptical, fearing that AI‑generated text could diminish the depth and originality they expect from narrative‑driven games.
In summary, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an attempt to address a controversy sparked by allegations of writer dismissal and AI substitution. CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized for his earlier remarks and acknowledged his impulsive reaction. The episode underscores the need for clear policies and open dialogue about AI's role in game development, a topic that is likely to remain at the forefront of industry discussions as technology continues to evolve.