Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. The move comes after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by AI tools. The full disclaimer now reads as follows: "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." To provide context, Stella Sacco was hired by Saber Interactive in mid‑2023 to serve as the lead narrative designer for Rideshare Simulator, a lower‑priced driving simulation that aims to blend realistic vehicle physics with a light‑hearted, story‑driven experience. According to Sacco, she was taken off the project partway through production and her responsibilities were handed over to an artificial‑intelligence system—specifically OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
In addition to this claim, she suggested that other, undisclosed AI‑driven processes had been employed throughout the game's creation, ranging from procedural content generation to in‑game dialogue scripting. When confronted with these allegations, Matt Karch responded publicly, stating that Sacco had "been replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and adding that "in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI." He further clarified his personal unfamiliarity with Sacco, saying, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames. Karch also reiterated that the studio was already planning to disclose its AI usage once the feature set for the game was finalized, emphasizing that the integration of AI was intended to be a benefit for consumers, especially given the title’s lower price point. The controversy intensified when Sacco posted on the social platform 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 later issued a separate statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding situation.
He wrote, "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. It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The episode raises several broader questions about the role of AI in video game development, the ethical considerations of replacing human creators with machine‑generated content, and the responsibilities of studios to be transparent with their audiences. While AI tools can accelerate asset creation, generate procedural dialogue, and assist with testing, the debate centers on where the line should be drawn between assistance and substitution.
Critics argue that dismissing a human writer in favor of a language model undermines creative integrity and devalues the expertise that writers bring to narrative design. Proponents, however, point out that AI can handle repetitive tasks, allowing human talent to focus on higher‑level storytelling and design decisions. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game’s modest budget and target market may have influenced Saber Interactive’s decision to experiment with AI.
Lower‑priced titles often operate under tighter financial constraints, prompting developers to explore cost‑saving technologies. Nonetheless, the company’s initial lack of disclosure sparked mistrust among both the gaming community and industry peers, prompting the subsequent addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page. From a legal perspective, the situation also touches on employment law and intellectual property rights. If a writer’s contributions are replaced by AI‑generated text, questions arise about ownership of the final product and whether the writer is entitled to credit or compensation.
While the details of Sacco’s employment contract have not been made public, her statements suggest she believes her removal was unjust and that the AI replacement was a pretext rather than a legitimate business decision. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will continue to refine its AI policies and provide clearer communication to its audience.
The company’s leadership appears to recognize that transparency is essential for maintaining player trust, especially as AI becomes more prevalent across the industry. By publicly acknowledging the controversy, issuing an apology, and updating the Steam listing, Saber hopes to mitigate the backlash and demonstrate a commitment to ethical development practices. For gamers and developers alike, the saga serves as a cautionary tale about the rapid integration of AI technologies.
It underscores the importance of balancing efficiency gains with respect for human creators, ensuring that the adoption of new tools does not come at the expense of fairness, accountability, or artistic integrity. As AI continues to evolve, the industry will likely see more guidelines and standards emerge, shaping how studios like Saber Interactive navigate these complex issues while delivering innovative and engaging experiences to players.