Saber Interactive has now appended an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store listing for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current stance on AI usage and to address the accusations that have been circulating online. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024.
Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project part‑way through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed AI tools used during the creation of the game." In the wake of these allegations, Karch issued a statement that attempted to refute Sacco’s narrative. He claimed that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, "in hindsight I would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI if the situation called for it." During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch further distanced himself from Sacco, saying, "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 certain aspects of the game and that a more detailed update to the Steam page would follow once the feature set was finalized.
"We view our use of AI in this particular, lower‑priced title as a benefit to consumers," he asserted. The controversy took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, noting that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the terrible 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 shared a separate public comment on LinkedIn, in which he admitted, "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 several broader issues that are currently shaping the video‑game industry. First, the rapid adoption of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models has sparked intense debate about the role of human creators versus machine‑generated content.
While some studios tout AI as a cost‑saving measure that can accelerate prototyping, dialogue writing, and asset generation, others warn that over‑reliance on these systems could erode the craft of storytelling and diminish job security for writers, artists, and designers. Second, the incident underscores the importance of transparent communication with both employees and the gaming community. When allegations of AI replacing a human writer surface, the expectation is that studios will provide clear evidence of how and why those decisions were made. In this case, the lack of concrete documentation—such as version control logs, internal memos, or sample AI‑generated text—has left many observers skeptical of both parties’ claims.
Third, the episode raises legal and ethical questions about employment contracts and intellectual property. If a writer’s contributions are partially or wholly supplanted by AI, it is unclear how credit, royalties, and attribution should be allocated.
Some jurisdictions are already considering legislation that would require explicit disclosure when AI is used to produce creative works that are sold to consumers. From a consumer perspective, the added disclaimer may influence purchasing decisions. Players who value handcrafted narratives might view the AI label as a red flag, while others who are curious about cutting‑edge technology could see it as a selling point. The disclaimer also serves as a preemptive measure against potential backlash from platforms like Steam, which have begun to scrutinize AI usage in games and could impose policy changes or require additional labeling.
In the broader context of corporate responsibility, Karch’s public apology and his admission of an impulsive response reflect a growing awareness among executives that personal reactions on social media can have lasting repercussions. By acknowledging his mistake and promising corrective action, he attempts to mitigate damage to the studio’s reputation and to rebuild trust with former staff members.
Looking ahead, Saber Interactive faces the challenge of balancing innovation with ethical considerations. The company will need to develop robust internal guidelines for AI deployment, ensure that any AI‑generated content is reviewed and approved by human experts, and maintain open lines of communication with its workforce.
Implementing a transparent AI policy could not only protect the studio from future controversies but also set a benchmark for industry peers navigating similar terrain. In summary, the addition of an AI disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator’s Steam page marks a pivotal moment for Saber Interactive, reflecting both the fallout from a contentious personnel dispute and the wider industry debate over artificial intelligence in game development. CEO Matt Karch’s apology to former writer Stella Sacco, coupled with his candid admission of a hasty reaction, demonstrates an effort to address the situation head‑on.
Whether these steps will be sufficient to restore confidence among fans, employees, and regulators remains to be seen, but the episode undoubtedly serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of integrating AI into creative workflows.