Saber Interactive has now added a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store listing for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed 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 midway through development and that her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT. Sacco also suggested that other, still‑undisclosed AI tools had been employed throughout the game's creation without proper attribution. In response to the accusations, Saber’s chief executive officer Matt Karch released a statement asserting that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later." He went on to say that, looking back, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI.
"Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames, highlighting his unfamiliarity with the writer in question. He added that the studio had already disclosed its intention to use AI for certain aspects of the game and that a more detailed notice would appear on the Steam page once the feature set was finalized.
Karch framed the use of AI in Rideshare Simulator as a consumer benefit, describing the title as a lower‑priced offering where AI assistance could help keep costs down while still delivering a polished experience. He emphasized that the company viewed the technology as a "plus for consumers," suggesting that the integration of AI tools would not compromise quality but rather enhance it. The situation took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, 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 public comment 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 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." The notice serves both as a transparency measure for potential buyers and as a formal acknowledgment that AI tools have been employed in the game's production pipeline. Industry observers note that this episode underscores a broader debate within the video‑game sector about the ethical and practical implications of using generative AI for narrative and design work.
While some developers champion AI as a time‑saving assistant that can generate placeholder dialogue, concept art, or even full quest lines, others warn that reliance on machine‑generated content could erode the role of human creators and lead to homogenized experiences. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the controversy highlights several key questions: How should studios credit AI contributions? What standards should be set for informing consumers about the extent of AI involvement?
And, perhaps most importantly, how can companies navigate personnel changes when AI is positioned as a replacement for human talent? Saber Interactive's response—adding a disclaimer, issuing an apology, and publicly reflecting on his impulsive reaction—suggests an attempt to mitigate reputational damage and reassure both the gaming community and its own workforce. Whether this approach will satisfy critics or simply serve as a temporary band‑aid remains to be seen.
The incident may prompt other studios to adopt clearer policies regarding AI usage, ensuring that writers, artists, and programmers receive appropriate recognition and that players are fully informed about the creative processes behind their favorite titles. As the conversation continues, the industry will likely watch closely how Saber Interactive balances the benefits of AI technology with the expectations of transparency, fairness, and respect for the human creators who have traditionally shaped video‑game narratives.