Saber Interactive has now appended an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated debate erupted over claims that the company had ousted a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, posted directly on the game’s Steam page, is intended to clarify the studio’s stance on AI usage and to address the accusations that have been circulating online. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project part‑way through development and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during 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 I would have been happy to replace her with AI."" The controversy began when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, claiming that her dismissal was directly linked to the studio’s decision to substitute her work with AI‑generated content.
She further asserted that the company had employed additional, yet‑unannounced AI tools throughout the development cycle, raising concerns about transparency and the treatment of creative staff. Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded publicly during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames. He said, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," indicating that he had no personal recollection of working with Sacco. He continued, "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." Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, especially given that Rideshare Simulator is positioned as a lower‑priced title. He argued that incorporating AI could reduce production costs, potentially allowing the studio to offer a more affordable product without compromising core gameplay quality.
"We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers," he said. The situation escalated when Sacco posted a follow‑up message on 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 also issued a separate statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his 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 admitted.
"It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The incident touches on several broader industry trends.
First, the increasing adoption of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models in game development is prompting studios to reconsider how they credit and compensate human writers. While AI can accelerate content generation—producing quest descriptions, dialogue snippets, or marketing copy—many creators worry that reliance on these systems may marginalise skilled writers and erode the nuance that only human experience can provide. Second, the controversy highlights the importance of clear communication with both employees and the public when AI is introduced into creative pipelines. Transparency about which aspects of a project are AI‑assisted, and which remain fully human‑crafted, can help manage expectations and avoid accusations of deception.
Saber Interactive’s decision to add a disclaimer to the Steam page is an attempt to meet that demand for openness, though critics argue that a retroactive notice may be insufficient. Finally, the episode underscores the personal toll that public disputes can take on individuals involved. Sacco’s statements reveal a sense of vindication but also an ongoing need to process the emotional impact of being publicly dismissed and replaced.
Karch’s LinkedIn post reflects a recognition of his own impulsive response, yet also illustrates how quickly professional disagreements can spiral into personal grievances when amplified by social media. In the weeks ahead, the gaming community will likely watch closely to see whether Saber Interactive follows through on its promise to update the Steam page with a detailed breakdown of AI usage. The studio’s handling of the situation may set a precedent for how other developers navigate the delicate balance between leveraging cutting‑edge technology and preserving the integrity of human creative labor. For now, the added disclaimer serves as both a factual clarification and a symbolic acknowledgment that the conversation about AI in game development is far from settled.