Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated debate erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project in favor of AI‑generated text. The controversy centers on allegations that the studio replaced a human author with content produced by ChatGPT, and that other, still‑unrevealed, AI tools were also employed during development. In an effort to address the growing concerns of the gaming community and to provide transparency, Saber posted a formal notice outlining its current AI usage and the circumstances that led to the disclaimer.
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 statement goes on to clarify that the company is now openly acknowledging the role AI played in certain aspects of the game and promises to revise the Steam page once the feature list is finalised. The background to this issue began when former writer Stella Sacco, who had been employed by Saber for a year, publicly claimed that she was taken off the Rideshare Simulator project part‑way through its creation and that her responsibilities were handed over to an AI system. Sacco’s accusations also hinted at additional, undisclosed AI applications throughout the game’s production pipeline.
Her statements quickly spread across industry forums, social media, and gaming news outlets, prompting a wave of criticism aimed at Saber for allegedly prioritising cost‑saving AI solutions over human talent. In response, CEO Matt Karch offered a detailed rebuttal.
He asserted that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." Karch’s comments suggested that the decision to remove Sacco was not solely based on cost considerations but also on performance and fit within the team, though his admission that AI could have been a viable alternative sparked further debate about the ethics of using machine‑generated content in creative projects. During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch elaborated on his lack of personal interaction with Sacco, stating, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." This remark, referencing the AI assistant Claude, underscored the extent to which AI had already become a part of the studio’s workflow. Karch continued, "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 also framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, describing the upcoming title as a "lower priced" offering where AI integration would be a "plus for consumers." He argued that leveraging AI could reduce development costs, potentially allowing the studio to price the game more competitively and allocate resources to other areas such as polishing gameplay or expanding content.
This perspective aligns with a broader industry trend where developers experiment with AI to streamline repetitive tasks like dialogue generation, environmental texturing, or basic narrative scaffolding. The controversy took another turn when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, acknowledging 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." Sacco’s statement indicated a tentative acceptance of the apology while also emphasizing her continued commitment to the truth of her original claims. Karch, meanwhile, issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, attempting to contextualise his earlier reaction.
He confessed, "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." This admission highlighted the emotional intensity of the exchange and Karch’s acknowledgement that his initial response was impulsive rather than measured. The episode raises several broader questions about the role of artificial intelligence in game development. On one hand, AI tools can accelerate production, assist with localization, generate placeholder assets, and even help writers brainstorm dialogue options. On the other hand, the displacement of human writers raises ethical concerns about job security, creative authenticity, and the quality of narrative experiences.
Critics argue that while AI can be a useful assistant, it should not replace the nuanced storytelling that human authors bring to interactive media. Industry observers note that the situation at Saber is not isolated. Larger studios have begun experimenting with AI for tasks ranging from texture upscaling to voice synthesis, often citing cost savings and faster iteration cycles.
However, the backlash against Saber underscores the importance of clear communication with both employees and the public when AI is employed. Transparency about which parts of a game are AI‑generated, and why those decisions are made, can mitigate mistrust and prevent accusations of exploitation. For players, the impact of AI on the final product may be subtle or pronounced depending on how deeply the technology is woven into the gameplay and narrative.
Some gamers appreciate the novelty of AI‑driven content, while others fear a homogenisation of voice and style. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the studio’s promise to update the Steam page with a definitive list of AI‑related features aims to give consumers the information they need to make an informed purchase decision. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive’s handling of the controversy could serve as a case study for other developers navigating the integration of AI.
By issuing a public disclaimer, acknowledging past missteps, and offering an apology, the company has taken steps toward rebuilding trust. Whether these actions will be sufficient to satisfy the community remains to be seen, but the dialogue sparked by this incident is likely to influence how the industry approaches AI ethics, employee relations, and consumer transparency in the years to come.
In summary, Saber Interactive has added an AI disclaimer to the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator after accusations that a human writer was replaced by ChatGPT. CEO Matt Karch responded with a mix of justification, apology, and a promise to clarify AI usage.
Former writer Stella Sacco accepted the apology but remains uncertain about the next steps. The episode highlights the tension between technological efficiency and creative integrity, prompting broader industry reflection on how AI should be responsibly incorporated into game development.