Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy surrounding accusations that the company had removed a human writer from the project in favor of AI‑generated text. The company’s decision to publicly acknowledge the use of AI tools comes after a series of statements from its chief executive officer, Matt Karch, and a public dispute with former staff member Stella Sacco, who claims she was dismissed midway through development and replaced by ChatGPT. The new disclaimer, posted directly on the Steam storefront, reads in full: "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 same notice, Karch explains his perspective on the situation, stating that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and adding that "in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her with AI." He 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. Karch also reiterated that the studio is already employing AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature set is finalized.
"We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a plus for consumers," he asserted. The dispute escalated when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, noting 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 public statement on LinkedIn, where he admitted his reaction had been overly emotional. "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 controversy touches on broader industry debates about the role of AI in creative processes. Over the past few years, game developers have experimented with language models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and others to generate dialogue, quest descriptions, and even entire narrative arcs. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate production, reduce costs, and enable smaller studios to punch above their weight. Critics, however, warn that reliance on automated text generation may dilute the human touch that gives games their emotional resonance, and raise concerns about job displacement for writers, designers, and other creative professionals.
In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the alleged replacement of a human writer with a language model sparked a heated discussion among fans and industry observers. Some players expressed disappointment, feeling that a game centered on realistic, human‑driven experiences should be crafted by human storytellers.
Others were more forgiving, noting that the game’s core mechanics—driving simulation, vehicle customization, and city navigation—are largely technical and that AI could plausibly handle supplemental text without compromising quality. Saber Interactive’s decision to place an explicit AI disclaimer on the Steam page can be seen as a move toward transparency. By informing potential buyers that certain narrative elements may have been generated or assisted by artificial intelligence, the studio aligns itself with emerging best practices for ethical AI usage.
Transparency helps mitigate accusations of deception and gives consumers the information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. The apology from CEO Matt Karch also reflects a growing awareness among corporate leaders that public relations missteps can quickly become amplified on social media.
Karch’s admission that he "shot first and thought second" acknowledges a common human error—reacting impulsively to criticism—while also signaling a willingness to correct the record. Whether this apology will satisfy Sacco or the broader community remains to be seen, but it does set a precedent for more measured communication in future disputes. Looking ahead, the incident may influence how other studios approach AI integration.
Companies might adopt clearer internal policies, designate AI usage guidelines, and establish protocols for crediting human contributors when AI tools are employed. Some industry bodies are already drafting standards for AI disclosure, aiming to protect both creators and consumers. For players of Rideshare Simulator, the immediate impact is likely limited to the knowledge that some of the game’s written content may have been generated by an algorithm.
The core gameplay—maneuvering vehicles through traffic, managing fares, and upgrading your fleet—remains unchanged. However, the episode underscores the importance of ethical considerations in game development and the need for open dialogue between studios, their employees, and the gaming community.
In summary, Saber Interactive has responded to allegations of AI‑driven content replacement by adding a comprehensive disclaimer to its Steam listing and by having its CEO publicly apologize to former writer Stella Sacco. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between technological innovation and traditional creative labor, and it may serve as a catalyst for more robust industry standards regarding AI transparency and writer rights.