Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated controversy erupted over claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s Steam page, is intended to clarify the company’s current and future use of AI tools in the development process, and to address the accusations that a former employee was unfairly replaced. The full text of the 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 alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project part‑way through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, along with other undisclosed AI applications within the game’s creation. In response, Mr.
Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and further noted that "in retrospect he would have been happy to replace her with AI." The company acknowledges the use of AI for certain aspects of the title and will update the Steam page once the final feature set is confirmed.
We view the responsible integration of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit to consumers." The background to this dispute began when former writer Stella Sacco took to the social platform BlueSky to detail her experience at Saber Interactive. In her post, she claimed that after roughly a year of contributing to the narrative and dialogue of Rideshare Simulator, she was abruptly taken off the project and her duties were handed over to an AI language model, specifically ChatGPT. Sacco further alleged that additional, as‑yet‑unannounced AI tools had been employed throughout the game's development, raising concerns about transparency, authorship, and the treatment of creative staff.
Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded publicly in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames. He said, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," indicating that he had no recollection of Sacco’s involvement. Karch went on to confirm that the studio was indeed experimenting with AI for certain parts of the game, but he framed the technology as a consumer‑focused advantage, especially given the title’s positioning as a more affordable offering in the market. Later, on BlueSky, Sacco posted an update 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 statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction. He wrote, "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." The incident shines a spotlight on a broader industry debate about the role of AI in game development. While AI can accelerate content creation, generate placeholder assets, and assist with localization, many creators worry about the potential displacement of writers, artists, and designers. Critics argue that relying on AI for narrative work may dilute the human nuance that gives games their emotional resonance, while proponents contend that AI is simply another tool in a developer’s toolbox, akin to motion‑capture or procedural generation. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game is marketed as a lower‑priced, niche simulation that aims to replicate the day‑to‑day experience of rideshare drivers.
Its development budget is modest compared to blockbuster titles, which may explain why Saber Interactive is exploring cost‑saving measures such as AI‑assisted writing. Nonetheless, the public backlash underscores the importance of clear communication with both staff and the gaming community when implementing such technologies.
The added Steam disclaimer serves multiple purposes. First, it provides transparency for players who may be curious about how much of the game’s dialogue and text is human‑crafted versus AI‑generated.
Second, it acts as a form of damage control for the studio, acknowledging past missteps and outlining a path forward. Finally, it signals to industry peers that Saber Interactive is taking the conversation about AI ethics seriously, even if the implementation details remain fluid. Moving forward, Karch has indicated that the company will continue to refine its AI policy and will update the Steam page once the final feature set is locked down.
He also expressed a willingness to engage with Sacco to find a mutually satisfactory resolution, though the specifics of any potential settlement or re‑employment have not been disclosed. The episode illustrates the delicate balance that modern game studios must strike between leveraging cutting‑edge technology and maintaining fair labor practices. As AI tools become more sophisticated and accessible, the industry will likely see more cases where the line between assistance and replacement blurs.
For now, Saber Interactive’s public apology and the new disclaimer represent a tentative step toward greater openness, while also reminding developers that human talent remains a cornerstone of compelling game storytelling.