Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated debate erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s current stance on AI usage and to address the controversy that has surrounded the development process. The full wording of the new disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 to July 2024. Sacco has alleged that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, as well as alleging other, previously undisclosed uses of AI throughout the game's creation.
In response, Mr. Karch has stated that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as more talented and that her employment was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later.
He also added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable replacing her with AI." The controversy began when former writer Stella Sacco publicly claimed that she had been ousted from the Rideshare team and that her writing duties were handed over to the language model ChatGPT. Sacco, who joined Saber in July 2023, said she was let go in July 2024, midway through the game's production cycle. She further alleged that the studio had employed AI tools for other aspects of the game's development without informing the public or the team.
Matt Karch, the chief executive officer of Saber Interactive, responded to these accusations in a series of interviews and social‑media posts. He told the podcast This Week In Videogames that he had never met or spoken to Sacco, 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 indeed been experimenting with AI for certain components of the game, but that they would update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down.
Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, especially given that Rideshare Simulator is positioned as a lower‑priced title: "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers." The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social‑networking platform 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 also issued a separate statement on LinkedIn, where he admitted that his reaction had been hasty.
"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 broader industry reaction has been mixed. Some observers argue that the use of AI in game writing is an inevitable evolution, pointing out that large language models can accelerate content generation, localization, and even narrative brainstorming. Others caution that replacing human writers with AI raises ethical concerns, especially when it involves dismissing staff without transparent communication. Labor groups have highlighted the need for clear policies regarding AI assistance, emphasizing that writers should be informed when their work is being supplemented or replaced by machine‑generated text.
From a consumer perspective, the AI disclaimer may affect expectations. Players who value handcrafted storytelling might feel uneasy about AI involvement, while those looking for cost‑effective experiences could appreciate the potential for quicker updates and bug fixes that AI tools can enable. The disclaimer itself serves as a form of transparency, signalling that Saber Interactive acknowledges the public's interest in how AI is being applied to their products. In the weeks ahead, Saber plans to finalize the AI features for Rideshare Simulator and update the Steam page accordingly.
The studio has indicated that they will provide more detailed information about which specific elements—such as dialogue generation, procedural mission design, or in‑game signage—are being powered by AI. This level of granularity is intended to give players a clearer picture of the technology's role and to address any lingering doubts about the authenticity of the game's narrative voice.
The episode also underscores a larger conversation within the video‑game industry about the balance between innovation and workforce stability. As AI capabilities continue to improve, studios will need to navigate the fine line between leveraging these tools for efficiency and maintaining respectful, transparent relationships with their creative staff. The apology from Karch, while a step toward reconciliation, highlights how quickly emotions can flare when public statements are made without full context or prior consultation. In summary, Saber Interactive's decision to add an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects both a response to public scrutiny and an acknowledgement of the evolving role of artificial intelligence in game development.
CEO Matt Karch's public apology to former writer Stella Sacco marks an attempt to mend a strained relationship, while the company moves forward with plans to clarify exactly how AI will be used in the final product. The situation serves as a case study for other developers grappling with similar challenges, illustrating the importance of clear communication, ethical considerations, and the need for thoughtful integration of emerging technologies into creative workflows.