Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The move follows a series of public statements from the studio’s chief executive, Matt Karch, and a series of social‑media posts by former staff member Stella Sacco, who alleges that her role on the project was terminated and subsequently filled by a language model such as ChatGPT. The full text of the new AI disclaimer reads as follows: "This update reflects our ongoing commitment to transparency regarding the use of artificial‑intelligence tools in the development of Rideshare Simulator. Certain narrative and UI elements may have been generated or assisted by AI technologies.
We will continue to refine the feature set and provide further details on the Steam page as the project progresses." The background to this announcement dates back to comments Karch made earlier in the year when asked about Sacco’s departure. Sacco, who joined Saber in July 2023 and left a year later, claimed that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its development cycle and that her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT. She also suggested that other, as‑yet‑undisclosed AI tools had been employed throughout the game’s creation, raising concerns about the authenticity of the writing and the treatment of human staff. In his initial response, Karch said that Sacco had been "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." The phrasing sparked further backlash because it seemed to imply that the company viewed AI as a preferable alternative to a human writer, a stance that many in the industry consider ethically questionable.
During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch attempted to distance himself from the former employee, stating, "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 its intention to use AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature list was locked down. "We see the use of AI in this particular title, which will be a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit for consumers," he added, framing the technology as a cost‑saving measure that could ultimately lower the price for players. The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social‑media platform 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 to the controversy. "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 incident raises several broader questions about the evolving role of AI in game development.
On one hand, developers argue that language models can accelerate content creation, generate placeholder text, and assist with localization, potentially freeing human writers to focus on higher‑level narrative design. On the other hand, critics warn that relying on AI can lead to homogenized storytelling, diminish employment opportunities for skilled writers, and create legal ambiguities around copyright and attribution. Industry observers note that the use of AI tools is becoming increasingly common across the sector. Studios are experimenting with AI‑driven asset generation for textures, procedural level design, and even voice synthesis.
However, the ethical guidelines governing these practices remain in flux. Some companies have instituted internal policies that require human oversight of any AI‑generated content before it reaches players, while others are more permissive, treating AI as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement. In the case of Saber Interactive, the public backlash appears to have prompted a more transparent approach.
By adding the AI disclaimer to the Steam page, the company is acknowledging that some portions of the game may have been produced with machine assistance. This step aligns with emerging best practices that call for clear labeling of AI‑generated media, similar to disclosures required for deep‑fake videos or synthetic audio.
The apology from Karch, though arguably late, signals an attempt to repair the relationship with Sacco and to address community concerns. Whether the apology will translate into concrete actions—such as reinstating Sacco in a consulting capacity, providing compensation, or establishing a formal AI‑ethics framework—remains to be seen. Sacco herself indicated that she is still processing the apology and has not yet decided on a path forward.
For gamers and industry professionals watching the saga, the key takeaway is that AI is no longer a speculative technology; it is an active part of the development pipeline, and its use must be communicated openly. As more studios adopt AI tools, we can expect additional dialogues about fairness, transparency, and the balance between efficiency and creative integrity. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to post an AI disclaimer on the Steam store page for Rideshare Simulator reflects both a reaction to public criticism and a broader shift toward greater openness about machine‑assisted content creation. CEO Matt Karch’s acknowledgment of his impulsive response and his expressed willingness to make amends illustrate the human side of a rapidly changing technological landscape.
The episode serves as a cautionary tale for other developers: while AI can offer powerful advantages, it also demands careful ethical consideration and clear communication with both staff and the gaming community.