Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The controversy centers on allegations that the studio replaced a key member of the writing team with content produced by ChatGPT, and that additional, undisclosed AI tools were employed throughout the development process.
The full text of the newly added notice 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 these statements, Karch offered a public explanation. 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." He further suggested that the decision to incorporate artificial intelligence was driven by a desire to streamline production and cut costs on a title that is intended to be priced lower than the studio's flagship releases. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch appeared bewildered by the name of his former colleague.
"Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referencing the AI model Claude.
He 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." Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit. "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers," he asserted, implying that the technology would enable faster updates, richer dialogue options, or perhaps lower retail prices.
The dispute took a more personal turn when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend. In her message, she wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She added, "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, attempting to contextualise his earlier outburst. "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 episode raises several broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, especially in narrative‑driven video games where authentic voice and character development are critical. On one hand, developers argue that AI can accelerate drafting, generate placeholder text, and even suggest story branches that human writers might overlook. On the other hand, critics warn that over‑reliance on machine‑generated prose can erode the unique tone that seasoned writers bring, potentially leading to bland or incoherent storytelling.
Industry observers note that the gaming sector has seen a surge in AI experimentation over the past two years. Tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and newer large‑language models have been used for everything from procedural quest generation to in‑game dialogue polishing. However, most studios maintain a policy of transparency, often labeling AI‑assisted content in credits or marketing materials. Saber Interactive's decision to retroactively add a disclaimer after public pressure suggests a reactive rather than proactive approach, which has drawn criticism from both fans and fellow developers.
From a legal standpoint, the situation also touches on employment law and intellectual property rights. If a writer is terminated and their contributions are subsequently replaced by AI, questions arise about ownership of the original drafts, the fairness of the termination, and whether the AI‑generated content can be considered a derivative work of the writer's initial ideas. While no lawsuit has been filed yet, the case could set a precedent for how studios handle AI substitution in the future. The human element of the controversy is equally compelling.
Sacco's statements indicate a sense of betrayal and a desire for acknowledgment. Her willingness to accept Karch's apology, albeit cautiously, suggests a potential path toward reconciliation, but also underscores the emotional toll that such disputes can exact on creative professionals. In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive has pledged to be more forthcoming about its AI usage.
The company indicated that future updates to the Steam page will detail which aspects of the game—such as NPC dialogue, mission descriptions, or UI text—are generated or assisted by AI. This level of granularity could help players understand the extent of machine involvement and assess whether it aligns with their expectations for narrative quality. Meanwhile, the broader gaming community continues to debate the ethical implications of AI in game development. Some argue that AI should be treated as a tool—much like a graphics engine or physics library—while others contend that replacing human creativity with algorithms undermines the artistic integrity of the medium.
The Saber Interactive episode serves as a microcosm of this ongoing conversation, highlighting the need for clear policies, transparent communication, and respect for the creators who shape the stories that players experience. As the situation unfolds, both Saber Interactive and Matt Karch will likely be under scrutiny from industry watchdogs, journalists, and fans alike. Whether the added disclaimer will satisfy critics or merely serve as a superficial gesture remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that the intersection of AI technology and human creativity is a frontier that demands careful navigation, thoughtful dialogue, and, above all, honesty with the audience. In summary, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator's Steam listing follows a contentious episode involving the alleged replacement of writer Stella Sacco with ChatGPT, a public apology from CEO Matt Karch, and a broader industry discussion about the appropriate use of artificial intelligence in game development. The incident underscores the importance of transparency, ethical employment practices, and the preservation of human storytelling in an era increasingly dominated by machine‑generated content.