Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. This move comes after a heated debate sparked by accusations that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The new notice, which appears prominently on the game's page, acknowledges the involvement of AI tools and promises further details once the development team finalises the feature set.
The controversy began when former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024, publicly claimed that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through production and that her responsibilities were handed over to ChatGPT. Sacco also alleged that other, as‑yet‑unannounced AI technologies had been employed throughout the game's creation, raising concerns about transparency and the treatment of creative staff.
In a series of statements, CEO Matt Karch responded to Sacco's allegations. He initially asserted that Sacco had "been replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that, looking back, he would have been comfortable substituting her role with an AI system.
Karch's comments were captured in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he said, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." Karch went on to explain the company's broader stance on artificial intelligence: "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. We view our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a benefit for consumers." The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social network BlueSky over the weekend, noting 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, "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 addition of the AI disclaimer on Steam reflects a growing industry trend toward greater transparency about machine‑generated content. Many developers have faced scrutiny after using tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or other large language models to draft dialogue, marketing copy, or even in‑game text.
Critics argue that without clear disclosure, players may be misled about the human effort behind a product, while supporters claim AI can accelerate development and reduce costs, especially for lower‑budget titles. For Saber Interactive, the decision to publicly acknowledge AI usage may serve several purposes. First, it attempts to address the backlash from Sacco's claims and demonstrate that the company is not attempting to hide its methods.
Second, it positions the studio as proactive in a regulatory environment that could soon require explicit labeling of AI‑generated content. Finally, the disclaimer may help mitigate potential legal risks related to employment practices, as the alleged replacement of a writer with an AI system touches on broader questions about workers' rights and the ethical limits of automation. From a consumer perspective, the impact of AI on a game like Rideshare Simulator could be mixed.
On one hand, AI can help generate large volumes of procedural text, adapt dialogue to player choices, or streamline localization for multiple languages. On the other hand, some players worry that AI‑crafted narratives may lack the nuance, emotional depth, or cultural sensitivity that a seasoned human writer provides. The controversy highlights the delicate balance studios must strike between efficiency and authenticity.
The broader gaming community has weighed in on the matter, with several industry analysts noting that the Sacco episode underscores the need for clear policies regarding AI in creative pipelines. Some have called for industry‑wide standards that would require developers to disclose AI involvement not only in marketing materials but also within the game credits. Others suggest that unions and writer guilds may soon negotiate contracts that protect writers from being replaced by algorithms without due process.
In the weeks ahead, Saber Interactive plans to update the Steam page with more specific information about which aspects of Rideshare Simulator were assisted by AI and which remain wholly human‑crafted. The company has also indicated that it will engage with Sacco to determine a mutually agreeable path forward, though details of any settlement or reconciliation remain private.
Overall, this episode serves as a case study in how emerging technologies can disrupt traditional workflows and spark public debate about fairness, transparency, and the future of creative work in video games. As AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, studios like Saber Interactive will likely continue to navigate the complex terrain of integrating machine intelligence while maintaining trust with both their employees and their audience.