Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated copy. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the role that machine‑learning tools played in the project’s development and to address concerns raised by both the gaming community and industry observers. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024.
Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator team midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed uses of artificial intelligence during the game's creation. In response, Mr.
Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as "more talented" and that she 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. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Mr. 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 finalised the feature set." "We view our use of AI in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as a benefit for consumers." "In a post on the BlueSky platform this weekend, Ms. Sacco wrote that Mr.
Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She added, "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." Mr.
Karch separately published 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 sequence of events began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who served as the lead writer on Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that she was removed from the project after roughly a year of service and that her writing duties were handed over to an AI system—specifically ChatGPT. Sacco’s allegations also hinted at additional, undisclosed AI applications throughout the development pipeline, ranging from level design assistance to dialogue generation. Her statements quickly spread across social media, sparking a debate about the ethical implications of replacing human creativity with algorithmic output in video games. Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded in a series of interviews and social‑media posts that appeared defensive at first glance.
He asserted that Sacco had been replaced by a writer he deemed more skilled and that her eventual termination was due to “a variety of reasons” unrelated to the AI controversy. Karch also admitted that, looking back, he would have been comfortable employing AI as a substitute for Sacco’s work, a comment that many interpreted as an endorsement of AI‑driven content creation. The controversy deepened when Karch appeared on the podcast This Week In Videogames. During the interview, he claimed to have never met or spoken with Sacco, jokingly asking an AI assistant named Claude for clarification about her identity.
He reiterated that Saber had already disclosed its intent to use AI for certain aspects of the game and promised an updated Steam description once the feature set was finalized. Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, arguing that the technology could reduce production costs and potentially lower the final price of the game for players. In response to the growing backlash, Sacco posted a brief statement on BlueSky, a newer social‑media platform, indicating that Karch had offered an “unreserved” apology for the manner in which he had spoken about her in the press.
She emphasized that she had consistently stood by the truth of her claims and expressed cautious optimism that Karch’s apology might lead to some form of restitution, though she admitted she needed time to consider what that might entail. Karch later posted a reflective comment on LinkedIn, acknowledging that he had been “triggered” by later remarks—though he chose not to elaborate on the specifics—and that he had reacted impulsively, “shot first and thought second.” He framed the incident as a human error, emphasizing his willingness to make amends where possible.
The broader industry reaction has been mixed. Some commentators argue that AI tools, when used transparently, can be a valuable asset for indie and mid‑tier studios seeking to stretch limited budgets.
Others warn that the replacement of human writers with language models could erode the quality of narrative experiences and undermine the labor rights of creative professionals. Labor unions in the gaming sector have pointed to this case as a cautionary example, urging developers to establish clear guidelines for AI usage and to ensure that any displacement of staff is handled ethically and with adequate compensation. From a consumer perspective, the addition of the AI disclaimer on Steam serves as a form of transparency, allowing players to make informed decisions about the content they are purchasing.
It also sets a precedent for other developers who might be considering similar integrations of AI into their pipelines. By explicitly stating the presence of AI‑generated elements, Saber Interactive is aligning itself with emerging best practices that advocate for disclosure of non‑human contributions to creative works. In summary, the saga surrounding Rideshare Simulator highlights the complex intersection of technology, labor, and ethics within the modern video‑game industry.
While Saber Interactive’s decision to post an AI disclaimer addresses immediate concerns about transparency, the underlying issues of staff turnover, the role of AI in creative processes, and the responsibilities of corporate leadership remain topics of ongoing debate. The incident underscores the need for clear policies, open communication, and respectful treatment of all contributors—human and machine alike—as the industry continues to evolve in the age of artificial intelligence.