Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had sidelined a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s Steam page, is intended to clarify the extent of AI usage in the project and to address the controversy that has surrounded the development process. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 through July 2024. Ms.
Sacco has alleged that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator team midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI tools used during development. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as ‘more talented’ and that her contract was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later.
He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI‑generated content." The controversy began when Sacco publicly claimed that her role as the lead writer on Rideshare Simulator had been abruptly terminated and that her duties were taken over by an AI language model, specifically ChatGPT. She also suggested that the studio had employed additional, undisclosed AI technologies throughout the game's creation, raising questions about the authenticity of the narrative and the ethical treatment of creative staff. Matt Karch, the chief executive, responded to these allegations in a series of interviews and social‑media posts.
He asserted that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he admitted that, looking back, he would have been "happy to replace her with AI." 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. 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 framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, stating, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers." He suggested that integrating AI could reduce development costs, potentially allowing the studio to offer the game at a more accessible price point while still delivering a polished experience.
The dispute took a more personal turn when Sacco posted on the social‑media platform 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, acknowledging his own emotional reaction.
He wrote, "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 has sparked broader industry discussion about the role of AI in creative fields, especially video game writing.
Critics argue that replacing human writers with language models can undermine the craft of storytelling, reduce job security for creative professionals, and lead to homogenised narratives lacking the nuance that only lived experience can provide. Proponents, however, point out that AI can assist writers by generating drafts, offering localization support, and handling repetitive tasks, thereby freeing human authors to focus on higher‑level creative decisions. In the wake of the controversy, several game development forums have seen heated debates.
Some community members expressed concern that the use of AI could become a slippery slope, leading studios to cut corners and diminish the value of human talent. Others highlighted that transparency—like the disclaimer now posted on Steam—helps maintain trust between developers and players, ensuring that consumers are aware of the technologies shaping the games they purchase. From a legal standpoint, the situation raises questions about employment contracts and the rights of writers when a studio decides to substitute human labor with AI.
While there are no definitive precedents yet, labor advocates suggest that future contracts may need to include clauses specifying the permissible extent of AI involvement in a writer's responsibilities. Saber Interactive has indicated that it will continue to monitor the public response and may adjust its AI policy as needed. The company emphasized that the disclaimer is part of an ongoing effort to be forthright about its development practices.
"We are committed to delivering a high‑quality experience and will keep our community informed about any changes to our workflow," a company spokesperson said. As the gaming industry continues to explore the capabilities of generative AI, the Saber Interactive episode serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of clear communication, respectful treatment of staff, and the need for industry‑wide guidelines. Whether AI will become a standard tool for narrative design or remain a supplemental resource will likely depend on how studios balance efficiency gains with the ethical considerations highlighted by cases like this. In summary, Saber Interactive has now placed an AI usage disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator after allegations that a former writer was replaced by ChatGPT.
CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized for his earlier remarks, acknowledging his impulsive reaction and expressing a desire to make amends. The episode has ignited a broader conversation about AI's role in game development, the rights of creative workers, and the importance of transparency with consumers.