Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. The move comes after a heated public dispute in which a former writer claimed she was removed from the project and replaced by AI‑generated content.
The company’s chief executive, Matt Karch, has since offered an apology to the writer and attempted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the controversy. The new AI disclaimer 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." The statement continues by acknowledging the allegations and the company’s intention to be transparent about any artificial‑intelligence tools employed in the creation of the game. It also notes that the disclaimer will be revised once the final feature set is locked down, ensuring that players have an accurate picture of what technology has been used. Background to the dispute Stella Sacco, who joined Saber Interactive in mid‑2023 as a narrative writer for Rideshare Simulator, announced publicly in early 2024 that she had been taken off the project midway through its development cycle.
According to Sacco, her responsibilities were handed over to a language model—specifically ChatGPT—and she alleged that other aspects of the game’s development had also been outsourced to AI without prior disclosure. Her claims sparked a broader conversation within the gaming community about the ethics of replacing human creative staff with machine‑generated content, especially in a medium that relies heavily on storytelling and player immersion. Matt Karch’s initial reaction In an interview with the video‑game‑focused podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch responded to Sacco’s statements with a mixture of denial and justification. He claimed that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, "in retrospect I would have been happy to replace her with AI." Karch further emphasized that he had never actually met Sacco, saying, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He also pointed out that Saber Interactive was already planning to incorporate AI tools for certain elements of the game, describing the technology as a "plus for consumers" and suggesting that it would help keep the title affordable. The CEO promised to update the Steam page once the AI‑related features were fully defined, implying that the current disclaimer was a temporary measure. Apology and public statements The controversy reached a new level when Sacco posted on the social‑media 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." Karch later issued a separate statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his emotional response to the unfolding situation. "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." Implications for the industry The Saber Interactive episode is part of a growing trend where game developers are experimenting with AI for tasks ranging from procedural level design to dialogue generation.
While AI can accelerate production and reduce costs, the technology also raises questions about authorship, job security, and the authenticity of creative work. Critics argue that replacing a human writer with a language model could diminish the nuance and emotional depth that players expect from narrative‑driven games.
On the other hand, proponents contend that AI can serve as a tool rather than a replacement, assisting writers by generating drafts, suggesting alternatives, or handling repetitive tasks. The key, many industry observers say, is transparency: developers should inform players and staff alike when AI is being used, and they should ensure that human oversight remains a core part of the creative process. Saber Interactive’s next steps Moving forward, Saber Interactive has pledged to be more forthright about its use of AI. The updated Steam disclaimer is intended to give consumers a clear picture of what portions of Rideshare Simulator were influenced by machine‑learning models.
The company also hinted at internal policy changes, though details have not yet been released. It remains to be seen how the apology will affect Sacco’s relationship with the studio, but the public acknowledgment suggests an effort to repair trust.
In summary, the controversy surrounding Rideshare Simulator highlights the delicate balance between technological innovation and respect for human talent. Saber Interactive’s decision to add an AI disclaimer and the CEO’s subsequent apology represent an attempt to address community concerns while navigating the evolving landscape of game development. The incident serves as a reminder that, as AI becomes more prevalent, clear communication and ethical considerations will be essential to maintaining credibility and fostering a healthy creative environment.