Saber Interactive has taken the step of attaching an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated debate erupted over claims that the studio had let go of a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The controversy began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024, alleged that she was removed from the project halfway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT. Sacco also suggested that other, still‑undisclosed, AI tools had been used throughout the creation of the game.
In response to those accusations, Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a statement that attempted to clarify the situation. He asserted that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, somewhat controversially, that "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." Karch’s remarks quickly attracted further scrutiny, prompting him to appear on the podcast This Week In Videogames.
During the interview he said, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," indicating that he had not personally interacted with Sacco during her tenure at the company. Karch also reiterated that the studio was already employing artificial‑intelligence technologies for specific aspects of Rideshare Simulator. He promised to update the Steam page with a comprehensive AI usage disclosure once the feature set was finalized, framing the use of AI as a consumer benefit, especially given that the title is positioned as a lower‑priced offering.
"We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers," he explained. The dispute took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, 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, for his part, posted a separate comment on LinkedIn in which he admitted that his initial reaction to the controversy was impulsive. "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 highlights several broader industry trends.
First, the increasing reliance on AI for content creation is prompting studios to be more transparent about how and where these tools are employed. While AI can accelerate tasks such as generating dialogue, procedural content, or marketing copy, it also raises ethical questions about authorship, compensation, and the treatment of human talent. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the alleged replacement of a human writer with a language model has sparked a debate about whether AI should ever be used as a direct substitute for creative staff. Second, the incident underscores the importance of clear internal communication.
Sacco’s claim that she was removed without a transparent explanation, coupled with Karch’s apparent lack of personal familiarity with her, suggests a breakdown in the managerial chain. When allegations of unfair dismissal intersect with the use of emerging technology, the fallout can quickly become public and damage a studio’s reputation. Third, the public apology and the subsequent AI disclaimer illustrate how companies are learning to manage crisis communication in the digital age. By acknowledging a misstep, offering an apology, and providing a concrete plan to disclose AI usage, Saber is attempting to rebuild trust with both its player community and its former employees.
Whether these actions will be sufficient to quell the criticism remains to be seen, but they set a precedent for how other developers might handle similar situations. From a consumer perspective, the added AI disclaimer on Steam serves as a useful piece of information. Players who are concerned about the authenticity of in‑game narrative, voice acting, or even the ethical implications of AI‑generated content can now make a more informed decision about purchasing the game.
The disclaimer also aligns with emerging guidelines from platforms like Steam, which are beginning to require developers to label AI‑generated assets to maintain transparency. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI usage notice on the Rideshare Simulator Steam page follows a series of public statements, apologies, and social‑media posts that revolve around the dismissal of former writer Stella Sacco and the alleged substitution of her work with ChatGPT.
CEO Matt Karch’s admission that he reacted impulsively to criticism, coupled with his promise to clarify AI involvement, reflects a growing awareness within the gaming industry of the need for openness about artificial‑intelligence tools. The episode serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of integrating AI into creative workflows, the importance of respectful employee treatment, and the necessity of clear, honest communication with the gaming community.