Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated debate erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer 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 and future use of AI tools within the project and to address the accusations that have been circulating online. The full text of the 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 subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed AI applications throughout the game's creation.
In response, Mr. Karch has stated that Ms. Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that "in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI."" The statement continues with Karch’s own words from an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames: "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referring to the AI model Claude. "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." He further explained that the studio views the integration of AI in this particular, lower‑priced title 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." The controversy took a personal turn when Sacco posted on the social 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 later issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, attempting to contextualise his earlier reaction. "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 episode highlights a broader industry conversation about the role of generative AI in creative workflows.
While many developers tout AI as a time‑saving assistant for tasks such as texture generation, procedural content, or even narrative drafting, the line between assistance and replacement remains contentious. Critics argue that replacing a human writer with a language model not only raises ethical concerns but also risks diluting the authenticity and nuance that a seasoned writer brings to a project. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the allegations suggest that Sacco’s contributions were deemed expendable in favour of a chatbot’s output.
According to the company’s revised disclaimer, the AI tools being used are limited to "certain parts of the game," though no specific systems or assets have been disclosed. This vague phrasing has left observers questioning how extensive the AI integration truly is, and whether other aspects of the game—such as dialogue, mission design, or marketing copy—might also be influenced by machine‑generated content. From a legal standpoint, the situation also touches on employment law and intellectual property rights.
If a writer’s contract stipulated that their original work would be used and credited, replacing it with AI without proper notice could constitute a breach. Moreover, the use of AI‑generated text raises questions about ownership: does the studio own the output outright, or does the AI provider retain certain rights? Saber Interactive’s decision to place a disclaimer on Steam can be seen as an attempt to pre‑empt further backlash and to comply with emerging platform policies that demand transparency about AI usage.
Steam, along with other digital storefronts, has begun to draft guidelines requiring developers to disclose when AI has materially contributed to a game’s content, especially when it impacts player experience or narrative authenticity. The CEO’s apology, while publicly posted, appears to be a measured effort to mitigate reputational damage rather than a full admission of wrongdoing. By acknowledging his impulsive reaction and expressing a desire to make amends, Karch is trying to restore trust with both the former employee and the broader gaming community.
However, the apology’s effectiveness will likely depend on concrete actions—such as offering Sacco compensation, reinstating credit, or providing a clear roadmap for how AI will be used moving forward. Industry analysts suggest that this incident may serve as a cautionary tale for other studios navigating the integration of AI.
Clear internal policies, transparent communication with staff, and explicit public disclosures can help avoid similar disputes. As AI tools become more sophisticated, the pressure to adopt them for cost‑saving reasons will increase, but so will the scrutiny from players, journalists, and regulators. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects both a response to specific allegations concerning writer Stella Sacco and a broader shift toward openness about machine‑generated content in video games.
CEO Matt Karch’s public apology acknowledges a misstep in his reaction to the controversy, but the long‑term impact on the studio’s reputation will hinge on how transparently and responsibly it manages AI moving forward. The episode underscores the delicate balance between leveraging cutting‑edge technology and preserving the human creativity that has traditionally driven game development.