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 controversy sparked by allegations that the studio had dismissed a writer working on the project in favor of AI‑generated text. The full wording of the new 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.
Sacco has claimed she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator team part‑way through production and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications throughout the game's creation." In the wake of these claims, Karch issued a statement attempting to clarify the situation. He asserted that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added a candid reflection: "In retrospect, I would have been comfortable replacing her with AI." The CEO went on to say, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames. He further explained, "We have already announced that we are employing AI for certain aspects of the game and will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalized." Karch framed the use of AI in Rideshare Simulator as a consumer benefit, noting that the title is positioned as a lower‑priced offering. "We view our AI integration in this particular title as a plus for players," he said, suggesting that the technology could streamline development and potentially lower costs for the end user. The dispute escalated on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, where Sacco posted 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 responded publicly on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own lapse in judgment. "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 episode raises broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, especially in narrative-driven video games where writers traditionally craft dialogue, story arcs, and character development. Critics argue that replacing human writers with language models like ChatGPT could diminish the nuance and emotional depth that come from lived experience and artistic training. Proponents, however, point out that AI can assist with repetitive tasks, generate placeholder text, and even inspire new ideas when used responsibly.
In the gaming sector, several studios have already begun experimenting with AI tools for tasks ranging from procedural content generation to voice synthesis. Yet, the ethical line between assistance and outright substitution remains blurry. Transparency is often cited as a key factor; players and industry peers alike expect clear communication when AI is employed in a way that could affect the final product. Saber Interactive's decision to add the disclaimer appears to be an effort to address those transparency concerns head‑on.
By openly acknowledging the presence of AI, the company hopes to mitigate accusations of secrecy while also positioning itself as a forward‑looking developer that embraces emerging technology. Nevertheless, the fallout from the Sacco episode may have longer‑term implications for Saber’s reputation among writers and developers. Trust is a fragile commodity in creative collaborations, and incidents where a writer feels replaced or misrepresented can lead to heightened scrutiny from unions, advocacy groups, and the broader community.
Moving forward, the studio will need to balance its AI ambitions with clear policies that protect the contributions of human creators. This could involve establishing guidelines that define which parts of a project are suitable for AI assistance, ensuring proper credit is given where appropriate, and setting up channels for staff to voice concerns without fear of retaliation. For players, the practical impact of the AI disclaimer may be minimal in terms of gameplay experience. Rideshare Simulator is marketed as an affordable simulation that lets players manage a ridesharing business, handling everything from driver assignments to customer satisfaction metrics.
Whether the in‑game text, mission briefings, or tutorial prompts were partially generated by AI is unlikely to alter the core mechanics. However, the perception of authenticity and the narrative voice could be subtly affected, especially for players who value handcrafted storytelling.
In summary, Saber Interactive has taken a public step to clarify its use of artificial intelligence on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator after a contentious dispute involving former writer Stella Sacco. CEO Matt Karch has apologized for his earlier remarks, admitted to a reactive response, and expressed a willingness to make amends. The incident underscores the ongoing debate about AI's place in game development, the importance of transparency, and the need for respectful treatment of creative talent.
As the industry continues to experiment with AI, studios will likely face more situations where clear communication and ethical guidelines become essential to maintaining trust among employees, partners, and the gaming community.