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 controversy erupted surrounding claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The situation began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024, publicly alleged that she was removed from the project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently handed over to ChatGPT.
Sacco also hinted at additional, undisclosed uses of AI throughout the game’s creation process. In reaction to those allegations, Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a statement asserting that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added that, looking back, he would have been comfortable substituting her role with artificial intelligence. Karch’s comments were captured in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he remarked, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that the studio had already disclosed its intention to employ AI for specific components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature set was finalized.
According to Karch, the use of AI in this particular title, which is positioned as a lower‑priced offering, should be viewed as a benefit for consumers rather than a drawback. The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, stating 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." In a separate public comment on LinkedIn, Karch acknowledged his own lapse in judgment, saying, "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 addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page is a direct response to the growing scrutiny over how video game developers are integrating machine‑learning tools into creative workflows. In recent years, the industry has seen a surge in the adoption of large language models for tasks ranging from narrative generation to marketing copy, prompting debates about authorship, transparency, and the ethical treatment of human staff. Critics argue that replacing a writer with an algorithm can undermine the craft of storytelling and potentially marginalize creative talent, while proponents claim that AI can accelerate production, reduce costs, and open new avenues for iterative design.
For Saber Interactive, the decision to publicly acknowledge AI usage appears to be an effort to align with emerging best practices that call for clear labeling of AI‑generated content. The disclaimer now reads in full: "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.
In response, Karch stated that 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.'" By making this information visible to potential buyers, the company hopes to mitigate accusations of deception and demonstrate a commitment to openness. The broader conversation about AI in gaming also touches on legal considerations.
Some jurisdictions are beginning to draft legislation that would require developers to disclose when AI has been used to produce significant portions of a game's narrative or assets. While no such law currently mandates the specific type of notice Saber has added, the move signals a pre‑emptive compliance mindset that could protect the studio from future regulatory challenges. From a consumer perspective, the presence of AI can affect expectations. Players may wonder whether AI‑generated dialogue feels as authentic as that written by a human, or whether procedural content created by algorithms will maintain the same level of polish and coherence.
The industry is still gathering data on how these perceptions influence purchasing decisions, but early surveys suggest that transparency tends to build trust, even if the underlying technology is met with skepticism. In the aftermath of the dispute, both parties appear to be navigating a path toward resolution. Sacco’s acceptance of Karch’s apology, albeit tentative, indicates a willingness to move forward, while the CEO’s public admission of his impulsive reaction demonstrates an effort to take responsibility. Whether this episode will lead to lasting changes in Saber Interactive’s internal policies or set a precedent for other studios remains to be seen.
Ultimately, the incident underscores the delicate balance that modern game developers must strike between leveraging cutting‑edge AI tools and honoring the contributions of human creators. As AI continues to evolve, the industry will likely see more explicit guidelines, clearer attribution standards, and perhaps new roles that blend technical expertise with creative oversight. For now, Saber Interactive’s AI disclaimer on the Steam page serves as a tangible reminder that transparency is becoming an essential component of ethical game development in the age of artificial intelligence.