Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated debate erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, now visible to anyone browsing the game’s listing, is intended to clarify the studio’s current stance on AI usage and to address the controversy that has surrounded the development process.
The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows comments from Saber CEO Matt Karch regarding writer Stella Sacco, who worked at Saber from July 2023 to July 2024, and stated she was removed from Rideshare midway through development and replaced with ChatGPT, while alleging other then‑unannounced use of AI in the game's development." The background to this statement involves a series of public statements made by both parties. Stella Sacco, who served as a lead writer on Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that she was taken off the project part‑way through production and that her responsibilities were handed over to the language model ChatGPT. In addition to this, Sacco alleged that the studio had been employing artificial‑intelligence tools in other, undisclosed aspects of the game's creation.
In response, Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, issued a rebuttal that was both defensive and, at times, contradictory. He asserted that Sacco "was replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, almost as an after‑thought, that "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." This phrasing suggested that Karch not only accepted the use of AI but also entertained the notion that an algorithm could have performed the job better than a human writer. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch made a rather surprising comment: "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." By invoking Claude—a reference to another AI model—Karch emphasized his distance from the writer in question, implying that he had never met her in person and that his knowledge of the situation was mediated through artificial means.
Karch went on to say, "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." He framed the integration of AI as a consumer benefit, describing it as a "plus for consumers" particularly because Rideshare Simulator is positioned as a lower‑priced title. The implication was that AI could help keep costs down while still delivering a satisfying experience for players.
The dispute took another turn 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, meanwhile, issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn in which he admitted to an emotional reaction: "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," he wrote. "It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The exchange highlights several broader issues that are currently reshaping the video‑game industry.
First, the use of AI for content creation—whether for dialogue, narrative design, or even code—has accelerated dramatically over the past few years. Tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models can generate prose at a speed and volume that far exceeds what a single writer can produce. Studios argue that these technologies can reduce development costs, speed up iteration, and free human talent to focus on higher‑level creative decisions. However, the rapid adoption of AI also raises ethical and practical concerns.
Writers and other creative professionals worry about job security and the devaluation of human‑crafted storytelling. In Sacco’s case, the allegation that she was replaced by a machine sparked a debate about whether AI should ever be used to substitute a person’s unique voice and experience. Critics point out that while AI can mimic style, it often lacks the nuance, cultural awareness, and emotional depth that come from lived experience. Second, transparency becomes a crucial factor.
Players increasingly want to know how a game was made, especially when AI is involved. By adding a disclaimer to the Steam page, Saber Interactive is attempting to be more open about its development pipeline. Yet the timing of the notice—after public pressure mounted—suggests that the studio may be reacting more to reputational risk than to a proactive commitment to openness. Third, the incident underscores the importance of communication and leadership in handling controversies.
Karch’s admission that he "shot first and thought second" indicates a lapse in judgment that many executives face when confronted with criticism. His willingness to apologize publicly, while commendable, also reveals the delicate balance between defending a company's practices and acknowledging missteps. From a consumer perspective, the ultimate question is whether the use of AI will affect the quality of the final product. If AI is employed merely as a tool for polishing dialogue or generating filler content, the impact may be minimal.
However, if core narrative elements are outsourced to a model without human oversight, players might notice a loss of authenticity or emotional resonance. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects a growing industry trend toward integrating artificial intelligence into game development, while also highlighting the friction such integration can cause with creative staff. CEO Matt Karch’s public apology to former lead writer Stella Sacco signals an attempt to mend the relationship, but it also serves as a reminder that the human element—both in creation and in leadership—remains essential.
As the conversation around AI in gaming continues to evolve, studios will need to balance efficiency gains with ethical considerations, ensuring that transparency, respect for talent, and a commitment to quality remain at the forefront of their development strategies.