Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam listing for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game's store page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current use of AI tools and to address the controversy that has surrounded the development process.
The full wording of the new disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks 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 project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed AI applications used during the creation of the game. In response, Mr.
Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as ‘more talented’ and that she was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later. He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI-generated content." During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch elaborated on the situation, stating, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her in person." He went on to acknowledge that the studio had indeed employed AI for certain elements of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. "We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers," he said, positioning the technology as a value‑adding feature rather than a cost‑cutting measure. The dispute escalated 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 have been firm from the beginning that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it has 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 statement on LinkedIn, attempting to contextualise his earlier reaction.
"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 situation." The controversy touches on several broader industry trends. First, the increasing reliance on generative AI models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and others for content creation raises questions about authorship, compensation, and the ethical treatment of creative staff.
While AI can accelerate the production of dialogue, descriptions, and even level design, many developers worry that over‑reliance may marginalise human writers and diminish the nuanced storytelling that players have come to expect. Second, the public nature of the dispute highlights the growing importance of transparency in the gaming sector. Players and journalists alike are demanding clearer disclosures about when and how AI is employed in games.
In response, platforms like Steam have begun to encourage—or even require—developers to list AI usage in their product descriptions, mirroring similar moves in other media industries. Third, the incident underscores the personal dynamics that can arise when a high‑profile executive reacts impulsively on social media. Karch’s admission that he "shot first and thought second" reflects a candid, if unflattering, acknowledgment of human error.
It also serves as a cautionary tale for other leaders about the potential fallout from hastily‑crafted public statements, especially when they involve sensitive employment matters. From a legal perspective, the case may also intersect with labor law and contract obligations. If a writer is terminated and replaced by AI without proper notice or severance, the employer could face claims of wrongful dismissal. Conversely, if the writer’s contract allowed for termination based on performance or other stipulated criteria, the studio might be on firmer ground.
The lack of publicly available contractual details makes it difficult to assess the exact legal standing of either party. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will continue to refine its AI policy and provide updates as the development of Rideshare Simulator progresses.
The company’s stance that AI usage will be a "plus for consumers" suggests a strategic positioning of the technology as a selling point, perhaps emphasizing cost savings that could be passed on to players in the form of lower prices or additional content. For the gaming community, the episode serves as a reminder that the integration of AI into creative pipelines is still in its early stages, and that clear communication between developers, writers, and the audience is essential. As more studios experiment with AI‑assisted writing, we can expect further debates about the balance between efficiency and artistic integrity, as well as the responsibilities companies have to their human talent. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page is a direct response to accusations that a former writer, Stella Sacco, was ousted in favor of ChatGPT-generated copy.
CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized, acknowledging his impulsive reaction to criticism and expressing a desire to make amends. The situation highlights larger industry conversations about AI transparency, ethical treatment of creative staff, and the importance of thoughtful communication from leadership.
As the studio moves forward, both the developer and its audience will be watching closely to see how AI is incorporated into the final product and whether the promised consumer benefits materialise.