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. This move comes after a heated dispute that surfaced online, in which a former writer claimed she was dismissed from the project in favor of AI‑generated copy.
The company’s decision to add the notice appears to be an effort to address the controversy head‑on and to provide transparency for players who might be concerned about the role of AI in the final product. The full text of the newly posted disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent comments made by Saber Interactive 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 Simulator project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed AI tools used during the creation of the game." In the wake of these accusations, Karch publicly responded, stating that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." He continued, "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 explained that the studio had already announced its intention to incorporate AI for certain aspects of the game and that a more detailed update to the Steam page would be made once the feature set was finalized. "We view our use of AI in this particular title, which will be priced lower than many of our flagship releases, as a benefit for consumers," Karch said, positioning the technology as a cost‑saving measure that could ultimately result in a more affordable product for players. 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 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 admitted.
"It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The situation raises several broader questions about the evolving role of AI in the video game industry. On one hand, developers argue that AI can accelerate content creation, generate placeholder assets, and assist writers with drafting dialogue or narrative outlines.
On the other hand, critics worry that reliance on AI could marginalize human creators, diminish the quality of storytelling, and create ethical dilemmas around authorship and credit. In recent years, major studios have experimented with AI tools ranging from procedural level generators to language models that can suggest character names or quest descriptions.
Proponents claim these technologies free up human talent to focus on higher‑level design decisions, while opponents fear a slippery slope toward mass‑produced, formulaic experiences. The controversy surrounding Rideshare Simulator sits squarely in the middle of this debate, as it involves a concrete allegation that a human writer was replaced by a language model mid‑project. From a legal standpoint, the case also touches on employment practices and intellectual property rights. If a writer is dismissed and their contributions are subsequently supplanted by AI‑generated text, questions arise about contractual obligations, compensation for work already performed, and the proper attribution of creative input.
While no lawsuit has been filed in this instance, the public nature of the exchange may prompt other developers to revisit their internal policies regarding AI usage and employee communication. For consumers, the added AI disclaimer on the Steam page serves as a form of transparency. Players who are sensitive to AI‑generated content now have a clearer picture of what to expect from Rideshare Simulator. The studio has indicated that the game will be a lower‑priced offering, suggesting that any cost savings from AI integration might be passed on to buyers.
Whether this translates into a better value proposition or a perceived compromise in quality remains to be seen once the game launches. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to publish an AI disclaimer and the subsequent public apologies from CEO Matt Karch reflect a growing need for openness in an industry that is rapidly adopting new technologies. The episode underscores the importance of clear communication between developers, writers, and the gaming community, especially when emerging tools like ChatGPT intersect with traditional creative roles. As the industry continues to experiment with AI, the balance between efficiency and artistic integrity will likely remain a focal point of discussion, and cases like this will serve as reference points for how studios navigate the ethical and practical implications of AI in game development.