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. This move comes after a heated debate sparked by claims that the studio had dismissed a writer working on the project and substituted her contributions with text generated by AI tools. The new notice, posted directly on the Steam page, aims to provide transparency to players and the broader gaming community regarding the extent to which machine‑learning models such as ChatGPT were employed. The full wording of the 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." The background to this statement involves a series of public remarks made by former staff member Stella Sacco.
Sacco, who served as a lead writer on Rideshare Simulator for roughly a year, alleged that midway through the game's production she was taken off the project and her responsibilities were handed over to an AI language model. She further suggested that the studio had employed additional, undisclosed AI tools in other aspects of the game's creation, raising concerns about authorship, creative integrity, and the treatment of human talent. In response, Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, offered a detailed rebuttal.
He claimed 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." Karch's comments were recorded during an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he appeared visibly defensive. He said, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," referencing the AI model Claude as a tongue‑in‑cheek way of indicating he had not personally interacted with Sacco. He continued, "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 further framed the use of AI as a benefit for consumers, stating, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers." This perspective reflects a growing trend in the video‑game industry where developers are experimenting with AI‑generated dialogue, procedural content, and even art assets in order to reduce costs and accelerate production timelines. However, the controversy surrounding Sacco's dismissal highlights the ethical dilemmas that arise when AI replaces human creators, especially in narrative‑driven projects where voice and tone are critical.
Over the weekend, Sacco posted a message on the social platform BlueSky, acknowledging 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 statement on LinkedIn, where he admitted, "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.
It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." This admission of a knee‑jerk reaction underscores the heightened emotions that can surface when allegations of unfair labor practices intersect with the rapidly evolving conversation around AI in creative industries. The incident has ignited a broader discussion among developers, writers, and players about the appropriate boundaries for AI usage. Critics argue that while AI can assist with routine tasks—such as generating placeholder text, translating dialogue, or suggesting quest outlines—it should not supplant the nuanced storytelling that human writers bring to a project.
Proponents, on the other hand, point to the efficiency gains and cost savings that AI can deliver, especially for smaller studios working on lower‑budget titles like Rideshare Simulator. In the weeks following the controversy, several industry observers have called for clearer guidelines and perhaps even regulatory frameworks to govern AI's role in game development. They suggest that studios should disclose AI involvement up front, credit AI contributions where appropriate, and ensure that human creators are not arbitrarily replaced without due process.
For Saber Interactive, the addition of the AI disclaimer on Steam represents a step toward greater transparency, but it also serves as a reminder that communication with staff and the public must be handled with care. The company's handling of the situation—initially defensive, later apologetic—illustrates the delicate balance between embracing new technology and respecting the people who have traditionally driven creative vision.
As the gaming community watches closely, the outcome of this dispute may set a precedent for how other studios navigate the integration of AI tools. Whether the industry will adopt standardized best practices or continue to grapple with case‑by‑case controversies remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the conversation around AI, authorship, and workplace ethics is only beginning, and the Rideshare Simulator saga is likely to be referenced in future debates about the responsible use of artificial intelligence in interactive entertainment.