Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal 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 human writer in favor of AI‑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 midway through development and that her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT. Sacco also hinted at additional, undisclosed uses of AI throughout the game's creation process. In a public statement, Saber’s chief executive officer Matt Karch responded to the allegations by saying that Sacco had "been replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later." He further added that, looking back, he "would have been happy to replace her with AI." This admission sparked a wave of criticism from both industry observers and fans, who questioned the ethical implications of substituting a human writer with a language model.
During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch tried to clarify his position. He said, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," indicating that he had never met the writer in person. He also reiterated that Saber was already employing AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the full feature set had been finalized. According to Karch, the use of AI in this particular title—intended to be a lower‑priced offering—should be viewed as a benefit for consumers, suggesting that the technology could lower costs or improve certain gameplay elements. The dispute took another 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 statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding drama. "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 addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page is a tangible outcome of this saga. The notice reads in full: "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 response, Karch stated that Sacco was 'replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later,' and added that 'in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI.'" The broader industry context is worth noting.
Over the past few years, the gaming sector has seen a rapid increase in the adoption of generative AI tools for tasks ranging from narrative writing and dialogue generation to asset creation and quality‑assurance testing. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate development cycles, reduce costs, and enable smaller studios to produce content that would otherwise be beyond their reach. Critics, however, warn that reliance on AI could marginalise creative professionals, erode the quality of storytelling, and raise legal questions about authorship and copyright. Saber Interactive’s handling of the situation highlights the delicate balance companies must strike when integrating AI into creative pipelines.
Transparency with the audience is increasingly demanded, especially when AI is used in ways that could affect the final product’s authenticity. By posting a disclaimer, Saber signals a willingness to be open about its methods, but the timing—after public outcry—suggests the move was reactive rather than proactive.
From a consumer perspective, the disclaimer may influence purchasing decisions. Players who value handcrafted narratives might view the use of AI as a detractor, while those more focused on gameplay mechanics may be indifferent or even appreciative if AI leads to lower prices or more frequent updates. The statement that AI will be a "plus for consumers" reflects Saber’s belief that the technology will ultimately benefit the end‑user, perhaps through cost savings that can be passed on as lower retail prices or through more frequent content drops. The personal dimension of the dispute also offers a cautionary tale about corporate communication.
Karch’s admission that he "shot first and thought second" underscores how emotional reactions can exacerbate public relations crises. His subsequent apology and attempt to make amends with Sacco suggest an effort to repair reputational damage, yet the lingering questions about the exact nature and extent of AI usage remain.
In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to embed an AI usage disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator came after a series of allegations that a human writer was replaced by a language model, sparking a broader conversation about the role of AI in game development. CEO Matt Karch’s public statements—ranging from defensive justifications to an acknowledgment of his impulsive response—have been met with both criticism and calls for greater transparency. The incident illustrates the growing pains of an industry grappling with the integration of powerful new tools, the need for clear communication with both staff and players, and the importance of handling personnel matters with sensitivity and professionalism.