Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, now visible to prospective buyers, attempts to clarify the studio’s stance on AI integration and to address the controversy surrounding former employee Stella Sacco. The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024.
Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during the game's creation. In response, Mr.
Karch has indicated 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 Sacco publicly claimed that her role as the lead writer on Rideshare Simulator was terminated and that the studio substituted her work with content generated by the language model ChatGPT. She further suggested that additional, unannounced AI tools had been employed throughout the development cycle, raising concerns about transparency, authorship, and the ethical treatment of creative staff. Matt Karch, the company's chief executive, responded in a televised interview with the web series This Week In Videogames.
He expressed surprise at the allegations, stating, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." The reference to Claude, another AI assistant, underscored the irony of the situation: a CEO defending AI usage while simultaneously denying personal knowledge of the writer in question. Karch continued, "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." He framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, noting, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers." This positioning suggests that the studio views AI not merely as a cost‑saving measure but as a value‑add for players, potentially delivering more content or refined gameplay experiences at a reduced price point. The dispute took a further turn when Sacco posted on the social 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 statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his emotional reaction to the unfolding drama. He admitted, "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. It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The incident highlights several broader industry trends. First, the rapid adoption of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models is reshaping how narrative content is produced in video games. Studios are increasingly experimenting with AI to generate dialogue, quest descriptions, and even whole story arcs, often citing speed and cost efficiency. However, the lack of clear policies and transparent communication can lead to disputes over authorship, intellectual property, and the fair treatment of human writers.
Second, the case underscores the growing scrutiny from both the gaming community and the media regarding AI disclosure. Players are becoming more aware of the ethical implications of AI‑generated content, demanding that developers be upfront about what portions of a game are human‑crafted versus machine‑generated. Failure to do so can erode trust and provoke backlash, as seen in the Rideshare Simulator episode. Third, the personal dimension of the controversy—particularly the public apology and the CEO’s admission of an impulsive response—illustrates the human side of corporate communication in the digital age.
Executives are expected to respond swiftly on social media, yet the pressure to react quickly can result in poorly considered statements. Karch’s acknowledgment of his mistake, while a step toward reconciliation, also serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of measured, thoughtful communication. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will refine its AI usage policy and update the Steam store page once the final feature set is locked down. This suggests a willingness to be more transparent about which aspects of Rideshare Simulator rely on AI.
The company may also consider establishing clearer guidelines for how AI tools are integrated into the creative pipeline, ensuring that human writers are credited appropriately and that any AI‑generated text undergoes rigorous editorial oversight. For Stella Sacco, the resolution remains uncertain.
While she has accepted Karch’s apology, she has not detailed what restitution or corrective action she expects. The situation may set a precedent for how studios handle similar disputes, potentially leading to formal agreements or industry‑wide standards governing AI involvement in narrative design. In summary, the Rideshare Simulator controversy serves as a microcosm of the challenges facing the gaming industry as it navigates the integration of artificial intelligence. Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer, the public exchange between CEO Matt Karch and former writer Stella Sacco, and the broader conversation about transparency and ethical AI use all point to a pivotal moment.
As AI technologies continue to evolve, developers will need to balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring that both creators and consumers are informed and respected throughout the development process.