Saber Interactive has now appended a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the studio had ousted a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which appears prominently on the game’s store page, is intended to clarify the extent of AI usage in the project and to address the concerns raised by former staff and the broader gaming community. The full wording of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 to July 2024. Ms.
Sacco has alleged that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project midway through development and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications throughout the game's creation. In response, Mr. Karch has stated 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." "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 recent post on the BlueSky social platform, 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 posted 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 controversy began when Sacco, who served as the lead writer on Rideshare Simulator for roughly a year, publicly alleged that her position had been terminated and that the studio had substituted her contributions with output generated by OpenAI's ChatGPT.
She further suggested that other, as‑yet‑undisclosed AI tools had been employed during the game's development, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and the ethical treatment of creative staff. Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded in a series of interviews and social‑media posts that appeared to double‑down on the use of AI while simultaneously attempting to downplay the alleged mistreatment of Sacco. In an interview with This Week In Videogames, Karch claimed he had never met Sacco in person and even consulted an AI assistant named Claude to verify her identity, a remark that many observers found flippant and dismissive. He also reiterated that the studio had already disclosed its intent to incorporate AI into certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down.
Karch's comments sparked a broader discussion within the gaming industry about the growing reliance on generative AI for narrative design, dialogue scripting, and even world‑building. While some developers tout AI as a cost‑saving measure that can accelerate prototyping and content generation, critics argue that over‑reliance on machine‑written text may erode the quality of storytelling and marginalize human writers whose expertise lies in crafting nuanced characters and emotionally resonant plots.
The public apology from Karch, posted on LinkedIn, attempted to frame his earlier reaction as an emotional, impulsive response to "certain later comments" that he chose not to elaborate upon. He admitted to "shooting first and thinking second," a phrase that quickly became a meme among gamers and journalists alike.
By acknowledging his human fallibility, Karch seemed to be trying to mitigate the backlash, but many questioned whether an apology without concrete corrective actions would be sufficient. Saber Interactive's decision to add the AI disclaimer to the Steam page can be seen as a strategic move to regain trust with consumers who are increasingly wary of undisclosed AI usage. The disclaimer not only acknowledges the presence of AI tools but also signals a willingness to be transparent about the technology's role in the final product. This approach aligns with emerging industry standards that encourage developers to label AI‑generated content, similar to how film studios disclose deep‑fake technology or how music platforms label synthetic vocals.
The incident also underscores the importance of clear employment contracts and communication channels within development studios. Sacco's claim that she was removed without proper notice and replaced by an algorithm raises legal and ethical questions about worker rights, intellectual property, and the responsibility of employers to provide a safe, respectful workplace.
Labor advocates suggest that studios should establish explicit policies regarding AI integration, ensuring that human creators are not arbitrarily displaced without due process. Looking ahead, the Rideshare Simulator project remains slated for release as a budget‑friendly title, with the studio promising a mix of realistic ride‑sharing mechanics and a narrative experience that, according to Saber, will benefit from AI‑enhanced efficiency. Whether the final product will live up to those promises—or whether the controversy will tarnish its reception—remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that the episode has added another chapter to the ongoing debate about how AI should be responsibly integrated into creative industries, and it serves as a cautionary tale for studios that might consider sidelining human talent in favor of algorithmic convenience. In summary, Saber Interactive has taken steps to publicly acknowledge AI usage in Rideshare Simulator by posting a disclaimer on Steam, while CEO Matt Karch has issued an apology that admits to an impulsive reaction to criticism. The episode highlights broader industry concerns about transparency, the treatment of writers, and the ethical deployment of AI in game development. The ultimate impact on the game's success and on future studio practices will depend on how both the developer and its audience navigate the evolving landscape of AI‑augmented creativity.