Saber Interactive has recently updated the Steam page 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 accusations that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project in order to replace her contributions with text generated by AI tools. The new notice is intended to provide transparency for players and to address the concerns raised by the community and the media.
The full text of the AI 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 alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator team midway through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed uses of AI throughout 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," adding that "in hindsight I would have been comfortable replacing her with AI."" During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch elaborated on the situation, stating, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her in person." He went on to explain that the studio had already announced a limited use of AI for certain aspects of the title and that a revised Steam description would be posted once the final feature set had been locked down.
"We view our AI implementation in this particular, lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers," Karch said, positioning the technology as a value‑adding element rather than a cost‑cutting measure. The controversy intensified 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 have been consistent from the start that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it has been borne out. Matt expressed a desire to make things right with me; at this point I am not entirely sure what that looks like for me, and I will need some time to consider it, but I do accept his apology." Karch later issued a separate statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction to the unfolding events. "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 situation." The episode raises several broader questions about the role of AI in creative industries, especially in video game development where narrative, dialogue, and world‑building have traditionally been human‑driven crafts.
While AI can accelerate content generation and reduce costs, it also introduces ethical dilemmas concerning authorship, credit, and the treatment of human talent. In this case, the alleged replacement of a writer with a language model has ignited a debate about whether AI should be used as a supplementary tool or as a direct substitute for skilled professionals. Industry observers note that the use of AI in games is not new; studios have experimented with procedural generation for environments, music composition, and even quest design. However, the transparency around these practices varies widely.
Some companies openly market AI‑enhanced features as selling points, while others keep the technology behind the scenes. Saber Interactive's decision to place an explicit disclaimer on Steam signals a shift toward greater openness, possibly motivated by the backlash it faced.
From a consumer perspective, the disclaimer may influence purchasing decisions. Players who value handcrafted storytelling might be wary of titles that rely heavily on AI, fearing a loss of nuance or emotional depth.
Conversely, gamers who appreciate rapid content updates and innovative technology may view the AI integration as a forward‑thinking advantage. By framing the AI usage as a "plus for consumers," Karch appears to be courting the latter demographic, emphasizing efficiency and cost savings that could translate into lower prices or more frequent updates.
The personal dynamics between Karch and Sacco also shed light on workplace culture in tech and gaming firms. Sacco's claim that she was removed mid‑project and replaced by an algorithmic solution suggests a possible undervaluing of human expertise in favor of quick, automated fixes.
Her public statement reflects a desire for accountability and a clear resolution, while Karch's apology indicates an awareness—albeit belated—of the reputational damage caused by his initial reaction. Looking ahead, the incident may prompt other developers to reassess how they communicate AI usage to their audiences.
Clear guidelines, credit attribution, and fair labor practices could become standard expectations as AI tools become more entrenched in creative pipelines. For Saber Interactive, the next steps will likely involve finalizing the AI features they intend to ship, updating the Steam page accordingly, and perhaps establishing a more structured policy for AI disclosure. In summary, Saber Interactive's addition of an AI disclaimer to the Rideshare Simulator Steam page represents an attempt to address public concerns after allegations that a human writer was replaced by a language model.
CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized to former writer Stella Sacco, acknowledging his impulsive response to criticism and expressing a willingness to make amends. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between technological innovation and the preservation of human creativity within the gaming industry, and it may serve as a catalyst for more transparent AI practices across the sector.