Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated copy. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current and future use of machine‑learning tools in the development process, and to address the accusations that were raised by a former employee. The full text of the disclaimer 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. In response, Karch stated that 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 situation began when Stella Sacco, who served as a lead writer on Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that she was taken off the project part‑way through its production and that her responsibilities were handed over to the language model ChatGPT.
Sacco also suggested that the studio had employed additional AI tools in areas that had not yet been disclosed to the public, raising concerns about transparency, authorship, and the ethical treatment of creative staff. Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded to these allegations in a series of interviews and social‑media posts. In an interview with 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 company was indeed experimenting with AI for certain aspects of the game, but emphasized that the technology would be used as a supplemental resource rather than a wholesale replacement for human talent. "We have already said we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalised the feature set," Karch told the hosts. Karch further framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, noting that Rideshare Simulator would be positioned as a lower‑priced title.
"We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers," he explained, suggesting that the cost savings and potential for rapid content generation could translate into a better price‑to‑value ratio for players. The controversy took another turn when 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, 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 admitted. "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 industries, particularly video game development. On one side, developers argue that AI can accelerate production, generate placeholder assets, and even assist with narrative branching, thereby freeing human creators to focus on higher‑level design decisions. On the other side, writers, artists, and labor advocates warn that reliance on AI could undermine job security, dilute artistic integrity, and obscure accountability when a piece of content is produced by a black‑box algorithm rather than a named individual.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game's premise—a realistic, physics‑driven driving experience that simulates the day‑to‑day challenges of rideshare drivers—requires a blend of technical simulation and human‑centric storytelling. The narrative elements, such as driver dialogues, passenger interactions, and city ambience, have traditionally been crafted by writers who can infuse humor, empathy, and cultural nuance.
Sacco's claim that these elements were handed over to ChatGPT therefore raised questions about whether the final product would retain the same level of authenticity and emotional resonance. Saber Interactive's decision to publish an AI disclaimer can be seen as an effort to maintain transparency with its community.
By openly acknowledging the use of AI, the studio hopes to pre‑empt further speculation and reassure players that the technology is being employed responsibly. The disclaimer also serves as a legal safeguard, as many platforms—including Steam—are beginning to require developers to disclose AI involvement, especially when it may affect user expectations or content moderation policies. From a corporate perspective, Karch's apology and the subsequent disclaimer illustrate a crisis‑management approach that balances damage control with a forward‑looking narrative.
By admitting that his initial reaction was impulsive and by offering a public apology, Karch attempts to rebuild trust with both the former writer and the broader gaming audience. Simultaneously, the studio emphasizes that AI will be a "plus for consumers," positioning the technology as a value‑adding feature rather than a cost‑cutting measure.
The incident also underscores the importance of clear internal communication within development teams. If a writer is removed from a project, best practices suggest that the reasons—whether performance‑related, strategic, or otherwise—should be documented and communicated to avoid misunderstandings. In this scenario, the lack of a transparent transition plan appears to have contributed to the public dispute. Looking ahead, the gaming community will be watching closely to see how Saber Interactive integrates AI into Rideshare Simulator's final release.
Will the AI‑generated text blend seamlessly with human‑written content, creating a cohesive experience for players? Or will the reliance on machine‑generated dialogue result in moments that feel generic or out of sync with the game's realistic tone? The answers will likely influence how other studios approach AI adoption in narrative design. In summary, Saber Interactive has responded to accusations of replacing a human writer with an AI system by posting a formal disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator, acknowledging the use of AI, and offering an apology from CEO Matt Karch.
The controversy spotlights ongoing debates about AI's place in creative work, the need for transparency, and the importance of respectful treatment of staff. As the industry continues to experiment with generative technologies, the outcomes of this case may serve as a reference point for future policies and public expectations regarding AI in video game development.