Saber Interactive has now posted an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer on the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which appears prominently on the game’s listing, seeks to clarify the studio’s stance on AI usage and to address the controversy surrounding the departure of former staff member Stella Sacco.
The full disclaimer reads as follows: The update follows recent statements made by Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, concerning Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. According to Sacco’s account, she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its development cycle and her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT. She also alleged that other, as‑yet‑undisclosed AI tools had been employed during the game’s creation.
In a public response, Karch claimed that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," adding that "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." He went on to say, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames.
Karch emphasized that the studio had already announced the use of AI for specific components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down. He framed the AI integration as a consumer benefit, noting that Rideshare Simulator is positioned as a lower‑priced title and that the inclusion of AI tools should be viewed as an added value for players.
Over the weekend, Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky, 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 also issued a separate 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 episode highlights a broader industry debate about the role of artificial intelligence in creative workflows. As development studios experiment with large language models, image generators, and other AI systems, questions arise about authorship, compensation, and the ethical treatment of human creators. Critics argue that replacing a writer with a chatbot not only undermines the individual's livelihood but also raises concerns about the quality and originality of the final product.
Proponents, on the other hand, point to the efficiency gains and cost savings that AI can deliver, especially for smaller or lower‑budget projects. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the AI disclaimer serves several purposes. First, it provides transparency for consumers who may be curious about how much of the game's narrative, dialogue, or marketing copy was generated by an algorithm.
Second, it attempts to mitigate reputational damage by acknowledging the controversy and outlining the studio's future plans for AI usage. Finally, it signals to the wider gaming community that Saber Interactive is willing to engage with the conversation rather than ignore it. The situation also underscores the importance of clear internal policies regarding AI.
Companies that lack documented procedures for when and how to employ AI risk creating misunderstandings among staff and the public. A well‑crafted policy might define the scope of AI assistance—whether it is limited to proofreading, procedural generation of assets, or full‑scale content creation—and establish guidelines for crediting human contributors versus machine‑generated work.
Such policies can also include provisions for handling disputes, ensuring that employees are aware of their rights and the company's expectations. From a legal perspective, the use of AI in creative projects is still a gray area.
Copyright law in many jurisdictions does not yet clearly address whether a piece of text generated by a model like ChatGPT can be owned by the user, the developer of the model, or considered public domain. This uncertainty adds another layer of complexity for studios that wish to protect their intellectual property while leveraging AI tools.
For Sacco, the episode may have broader career implications. While she has publicly accepted Karch’s apology, she also indicated that she needs time to consider what a satisfactory resolution looks like. Whether this leads to a settlement, a public statement of vindication, or a return to the industry in a different capacity remains to be seen. Overall, the controversy surrounding Rideshare Simulator illustrates the growing pains of an industry in transition.
As AI becomes more accessible and powerful, developers must balance the allure of automation with the ethical responsibility to treat human talent fairly. Transparency, clear communication, and robust policy frameworks will likely become essential tools for studios navigating this evolving landscape.
Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on its Steam page is a step toward that transparency, even as the broader conversation about AI’s place in game development continues to unfold.