Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s current approach to AI tools and to address the allegations that surfaced earlier this year. The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent comments made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber 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 filled by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed uses of AI throughout 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 [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI."" The controversy began when Ms. Sacco publicly claimed that Saber had cut her out of the development team and substituted her work with output generated by the language model ChatGPT.
She further suggested that additional, unannounced AI techniques had been employed across the project, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and the ethical use of machine‑generated content in video games. Matt Karch, the chief executive, responded in a series of interviews and social‑media posts. During an appearance on the podcast "This Week In Videogames," Karch said, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to acknowledge that the studio had indeed incorporated AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature set was finalized. "We view our use of AI in this particular title, which will be a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit for consumers," Karch added, positioning the technology as a value‑adding component rather than a cost‑cutting measure.
The situation escalated when Ms. Sacco posted on the social‑media 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 public statement on LinkedIn, where he admitted to an emotional 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 exchange highlights a broader industry debate about the role of AI in creative production. While many developers tout AI as a tool that can accelerate asset creation, scriptwriting, and even level design, critics warn that over‑reliance on automated systems may undermine the contributions of human writers and artists.
In this case, the core of the dispute revolves around whether a human writer was unjustly replaced and whether the studio was transparent about the extent of AI involvement. From a legal and ethical standpoint, the use of AI-generated text in a commercial product raises questions about intellectual property, attribution, and labor rights. If a piece of dialogue or narrative content is produced by a language model, who owns the rights?
Does the studio need to disclose this to players, especially if the AI output is indistinguishable from human‑written material? Saber’s new disclaimer appears to be an attempt to pre‑empt further scrutiny by openly acknowledging the presence of AI in the game's development pipeline.
Industry observers note that the controversy could serve as a cautionary tale for other studios navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape. Transparency, clear communication with staff, and documented policies on AI usage are emerging as best practices to avoid similar public disputes. Some analysts suggest that companies might benefit from establishing internal review boards to assess the ethical implications of AI tools before they are deployed on high‑visibility projects.
For gamers, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer may be limited. Rideshare Simulator is marketed as an affordable, niche title that simulates the day‑to‑day experience of rideshare drivers. The developers argue that AI assistance has helped streamline certain repetitive tasks, such as generating in‑game signage, filler dialogue, or procedural traffic patterns, thereby allowing the small team to focus on core gameplay mechanics and player experience.
Nevertheless, the human element remains central to storytelling and player immersion. Critics argue that replacing a dedicated writer with a language model could result in less nuanced characters, generic plotlines, and a loss of authentic voice—issues that could affect the game's reception and longevity. Whether Saber Interactive’s approach will ultimately enhance or detract from the final product remains to be seen, and the ongoing dialogue between the studio, its former employee, and the broader gaming community will likely shape future policies on AI integration. In summary, Saber Interactive has responded to allegations of AI‑driven staff replacement by posting a formal disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator, acknowledging the use of AI tools and attempting to clarify its stance.
CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized to former writer Stella Sacco, admitting to an impulsive reaction and expressing a desire to make amends. The episode underscores the need for clear, transparent communication about AI usage in game development, and it may prompt other studios to adopt more robust guidelines to balance technological efficiency with respect for human creativity.