Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy erupted surrounding 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 storefront, seeks to clarify the studio’s stance on AI usage and to address the allegations made by a former employee.
The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements 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 has alleged that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI tools 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 her employment was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later. He further added that, in hindsight, he would have considered using AI to replace her.
"Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames. "We have already said we are using AI for certain parts of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalized the feature set." "We view our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a benefit for consumers." In a post on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, Sacco wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "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 also shared a public comment on LinkedIn, stating, "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 episode began when Sacco, who served as the lead writer for Rideshare Simulator during its early development phase, publicly alleged that her role was abruptly terminated and that the studio substituted her work with output generated by OpenAI's ChatGPT.
She further suggested that other, as‑yet‑undisclosed AI technologies had been employed throughout the project, raising concerns about transparency, authorship, and the ethical treatment of creative staff. Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, initially responded with a series of statements that appeared defensive. He claimed that Sacco had been replaced by a more qualified individual and that her departure was the result of multiple performance‑related factors.
He also admitted that, looking back, he might have chosen to replace her with artificial intelligence, a remark that sparked additional backlash from both industry observers and the broader gaming community. During an interview with the video‑game‑focused show This Week In Videogames, Karch made a somewhat flippant remark, saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," referencing Claude, another AI language model.
This comment was widely interpreted as dismissive and further fueled the perception that the studio was minimizing the writer's contributions and concerns. In response to the growing outcry, Saber Interactive posted the AI disclaimer on Steam, acknowledging that AI tools would indeed be used for certain aspects of the game, such as procedural content generation, dialogue assistance, and possibly some narrative elements. The company emphasized that the title would be priced lower than typical AAA releases, framing the AI integration as a consumer benefit that could reduce development costs and, consequently, the retail price.
The controversy also highlighted a broader industry debate about the role of AI in game development. While many studios have begun experimenting with AI for tasks ranging from asset creation to scriptwriting, the lack of clear policies and the potential displacement of human talent have raised ethical questions.
Critics argue that replacing a writer with a language model undermines the creative process and devalues the labor of skilled professionals. Sacco’s subsequent apology acceptance on BlueSky added another layer to the story. She expressed that she was willing to give Karch a chance to make amends, though she admitted uncertainty about what concrete actions would constitute a satisfactory resolution. Her statement suggested a desire for dialogue rather than continued hostility, yet she also reaffirmed the veracity of her original claims.
Karch’s LinkedIn post attempted to humanize his reaction, acknowledging that he had been "triggered" by later comments and that his initial response was impulsive. He framed the incident as a moment of human error, promising to take steps to correct the situation.
The post was met with mixed reactions: some appreciated the candor, while others viewed it as insufficient given the seriousness of the accusations. As the situation unfolds, several key points remain under scrutiny: 1. **Transparency** – How clearly will Saber Interactive disclose which portions of Rideshare Simulator were generated by AI versus human authors?
2. **Compensation** – Will the former writer receive any form of restitution or acknowledgment for her contributions, even if partially superseded by AI? 3. **Industry Standards** – Will this case prompt other developers to adopt formal AI usage policies and disclose them to consumers and staff?
4. **Consumer Perception** – Will gamers view the AI disclaimer as a positive step toward honesty, or will it raise concerns about the quality and originality of the final product?
The gaming press continues to monitor the fallout, with many outlets reporting on the broader implications for labor practices in the digital entertainment sector. Some analysts predict that the controversy could serve as a catalyst for unions and professional guilds to push for clearer guidelines around AI assistance, ensuring that human creators retain agency and receive proper credit. In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator represents a reactive measure to a public dispute involving former lead writer Stella Sacco and CEO Matt Karch. The company has acknowledged the use of AI in certain development stages, framed it as a consumer advantage, and issued an apology for the manner in which the situation was handled.
The episode underscores the growing tension between emerging AI technologies and traditional creative roles within the video‑game industry, prompting calls for greater transparency, ethical standards, and respect for the contributions of human talent.