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 dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The move is intended to provide transparency to players and to address concerns raised by the gaming community about the extent of AI usage in the game's development. The full text of the newly posted disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber 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 project midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI tools employed during development. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms.
Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as 'more talented' and that her contract was terminated a few months later for a variety of reasons. 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," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames.
"We have already stated that we are using AI for certain aspects of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalized the feature set." "We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers." The controversy began when former lead writer Stella Sacco took to the social network BlueSky over the weekend, posting that Matt Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "I have stood firm from the start that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it has 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 public statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own 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 incident highlights several broader industry trends. First, the increasing reliance on generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models for content creation, dialogue writing, and even design documentation. Game studios are experimenting with AI to accelerate production cycles, reduce costs, and generate large volumes of placeholder text that can later be refined by human writers.
However, the line between assistance and replacement remains blurry, and employees—especially those in creative roles—are understandably wary of being supplanted. Second, the episode underscores the importance of clear communication and contractual clarity. When a writer claims they were removed and replaced by an AI system, it raises questions about employment agreements, intellectual property ownership, and the ethical responsibilities of a studio toward its staff.
In many jurisdictions, there are no explicit legal frameworks governing AI‑generated content in video games, leaving companies to set their own policies, which can be inconsistent and lead to public backlash. Third, the public apology from a CEO is relatively rare in the gaming world, where many leaders either remain silent or issue brief, corporate‑sounding statements. Karch's admission that he reacted impulsively—"shot first and thought second"—adds a human dimension to the dispute, but also signals a willingness to engage with criticism rather than dismiss it outright.
Whether this approach will repair the relationship with Sacco or restore confidence among the game's fan base remains to be seen. For players, the AI disclaimer serves as a practical notice: certain in‑game text, tutorial prompts, or even NPC dialogue may have been generated or heavily assisted by AI.
Saber Interactive frames this as a consumer benefit, arguing that AI can help keep the game's price low while still delivering a rich experience. Critics, however, worry that overreliance on AI could lead to generic or repetitive writing, a loss of nuanced storytelling, and potential ethical issues around bias in AI‑generated content. Looking ahead, the Rideshare Simulator team has indicated that they will continue to refine the game's feature set and will update the Steam page once the final AI‑related features are locked down.
This suggests a phased approach where the studio will monitor community feedback, possibly adjust the balance between human‑crafted and AI‑assisted content, and ensure that any future disclosures are timely and comprehensive. In summary, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer reflects both a response to a specific controversy involving former writer Stella Sacco and a broader industry shift toward greater transparency about machine‑generated content.
CEO Matt Karch's public apology and acknowledgment of his rushed reaction illustrate the human side of corporate decision‑making in an era where AI is becoming an integral tool. The ultimate impact on the game's reception will hinge on how well the studio can blend AI efficiency with authentic, engaging storytelling, and whether they can rebuild trust with both former employees and the gaming community at large.