Saber Interactive has now appended an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of criticism surrounding claims that the company had ousted a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the studio’s current stance on AI usage and to address the controversy that erupted when former employee Stella Sacco alleged that her role was terminated and subsequently filled by ChatGPT. The full text of the new disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco has asserted that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were taken over by an AI language model, while also claiming that additional, undisclosed AI tools were employed throughout the game's creation." In a series of interviews and social‑media posts, Karch responded to Sacco’s accusations. He initially suggested that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added a somewhat flippant remark that, in hindsight, he "would have been happy to replace her with AI." The CEO’s comments quickly attracted scrutiny, prompting a deeper look at the studio’s internal processes and its approach to emerging technologies. During a conversation with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch appeared to distance himself from the former writer, stating, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to acknowledge that the company was indeed experimenting with AI for certain aspects of the game, promising that the Steam page would be updated once the feature set was finalized. "We view our use of AI in this particular title, which will be priced lower than many of our other releases, as a benefit for consumers," Karch explained, positioning AI as a cost‑saving measure that could potentially lower the final retail price. The situation escalated when Sacco posted on the social‑media platform BlueSky over the weekend, indicating 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, attempting to contextualise his earlier outburst.
"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 admitted. "It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." The controversy raises broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, particularly video‑game development, where narrative, dialogue, and world‑building have traditionally been the domain of human writers. Industry analysts note that while AI tools can accelerate certain tasks—such as generating placeholder text or assisting with localization—they also risk undermining the nuanced storytelling that players expect.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, a game that simulates the day‑to‑day experiences of rideshare drivers, authentic voice and realistic dialogue are central to immersion. Critics argue that replacing a human writer with a language model could compromise the authenticity of those experiences.
From a legal perspective, the allegations also touch on employment law and contractual obligations. If a writer is dismissed and replaced by AI without proper notice or severance, the studio could face claims of wrongful termination.
Moreover, the use of AI-generated content raises intellectual‑property concerns: who owns the rights to text produced by an algorithm, and how should it be disclosed to consumers? By adding the AI disclaimer, Saber Interactive appears to be taking a step toward transparency, but the timing suggests it is more a reaction to public pressure than a proactive policy. Fans of the game have expressed mixed reactions.
Some appreciate the studio’s willingness to experiment with cutting‑edge technology, hoping it will lead to lower prices and faster updates. Others feel betrayed, fearing that the personal touch that makes narrative‑driven games compelling is being sacrificed for efficiency.
Community forums are abuzz with debates about whether AI should ever replace a human writer entirely, or whether a hybrid approach—where AI assists but does not dominate—might be a more ethical compromise. In the weeks ahead, Saber Interactive has indicated that it will refine its AI usage policy and provide clearer guidelines on the Steam page.
The company also hinted at possible compensation or reconciliation measures for Sacco, though specifics remain undisclosed. Whether these actions will restore trust among the developer community and the player base remains to be seen. Overall, the episode serves as a cautionary tale for studios navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
It underscores the importance of clear communication, respectful treatment of staff, and thoughtful integration of new tools. As AI continues to permeate creative workflows, the industry will need to balance efficiency gains with the preservation of human artistry—a challenge that Saber Interactive is now confronting head‑on.