Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator to include a clear disclaimer about the use of artificial intelligence in the game’s development. This move comes after a heated dispute surfaced online, in which former staff member Stella Sacco alleged that the company had dismissed her from the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by ChatGPT, as well as hinted at other undisclosed AI applications throughout the creation of the simulation. The full text of the new AI 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." In the wake of Sacco’s public statements, Karch responded in an interview, explaining that Sacco was "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." He further elaborated during a conversation with the podcast This Week In Videogames, saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her.
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 framed the AI usage as a benefit for consumers, noting that the title is intended to be a lower‑priced offering and that integrating AI tools could help keep the final price affordable while still delivering a polished experience. He positioned the technology as a value‑add rather than a cost‑cutting measure, arguing that it would allow the development team to allocate resources more efficiently and focus on other aspects of gameplay and design.
The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on the social network 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 also issued a separate public comment on LinkedIn, where he admitted to an emotional reaction that led to a hasty response.
"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 situation raises several broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, especially in fields like video game writing where narrative nuance and character development are traditionally seen as human‑centric tasks. While many developers tout AI as a tool for generating placeholder text, concept art, or even procedural dialogue, the line between assistance and replacement can become blurred when a writer is removed from a project and their responsibilities are handed over to a language model. Industry observers note that the gaming sector has been experimenting with AI for years, but public disclosures have been inconsistent.
Some studios openly share their AI pipelines, while others keep the technology under wraps, fearing backlash from both fans and creative professionals. In Saber Interactive's case, the lack of early transparency contributed to the perception that the company was trying to hide its reliance on AI, prompting accusations of unethical labor practices. From a legal standpoint, the use of AI‑generated text can raise intellectual property concerns.
If a language model is trained on copyrighted material, the output may inadvertently incorporate protected content, leading to potential infringement claims. Moreover, the replacement of a human writer with an algorithm could intersect with employment law, particularly if the termination was directly linked to the decision to adopt AI.
For consumers, the presence of AI in a game may affect expectations about narrative quality. Some players appreciate the novelty of AI‑crafted storylines, while others worry that the emotional depth and coherence of human‑written scripts could be compromised.
Saber Interactive's decision to label the game as a "lower priced title" suggests an attempt to manage expectations, positioning the AI integration as a cost‑saving measure that benefits the end user through a reduced purchase price. The apology from Karch, while sincere in tone, leaves open the question of concrete remedial actions.
Sacco’s statement indicates she is still processing the apology and has not yet seen a clear path toward restitution or acknowledgment beyond the public statement. Whether Saber Interactive will reinstate any form of compensation, credit, or future collaboration with Sacco remains uncertain.
In the broader context, this episode serves as a cautionary tale for studios navigating the integration of AI tools. Transparency, clear communication with staff, and respectful handling of personnel changes are essential to avoid reputational damage. As AI capabilities continue to advance, the industry will likely see more guidelines and perhaps even regulatory frameworks emerging to govern its ethical use.
For now, players interested in Rideshare Simulator can view the updated Steam page, which now includes the AI disclaimer, and decide whether the inclusion of AI-generated content influences their purchasing decision. Meanwhile, the dialogue between Saber Interactive, its former writer, and the gaming community continues to evolve, highlighting the delicate balance between technological innovation and the human creativity that has long driven the medium. Overall, the incident underscores the importance of honesty and accountability when adopting new technologies, especially in creative fields where personal contribution and artistic voice are deeply valued.
As the conversation around AI in game development matures, both developers and audiences will need to negotiate new standards for what constitutes acceptable use, credit, and compensation.