Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had sidelined a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The controversy began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024, alleged that she was removed from the project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently taken over by ChatGPT. Sacco also suggested that other, still‑undisclosed, aspects of the game’s creation had involved AI tools without public acknowledgment.
In the wake of those allegations, Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a public statement attempting to clarify the situation. He said that Sacco had been "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added, in hindsight, that he "would have been happy to replace her with AI." Karch’s remarks were captured in an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, where he further claimed he had never met or spoken to Sacco. "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," he said, referring to the AI assistant Claude. He also noted that the studio had already disclosed the use of AI for certain elements of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the feature list was finalized. Karch framed the use of AI as a consumer benefit, especially given that Rideshare Simulator is positioned as a lower‑priced title. "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers," he explained, suggesting that the technology could help keep costs down while still delivering a polished experience.
The dispute took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted a message on the social platform BlueSky. In that post she wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She emphasized that she had stood firm from the beginning, insisting that her claims were truthful, and that the facts now seemed to support her version of events. "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," Sacco said.
Karch later responded on LinkedIn with a candid admission of his own misstep. "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." This self‑critical note was meant to convey that his reaction had been impulsive and that he was now working to correct the situation. The addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page is a concrete outcome of this saga. The notice reads in full that the game includes AI‑generated content in specific areas, and that the studio will provide further details once the final feature set is locked down.
By making the disclaimer visible to potential buyers, Saber hopes to restore transparency and mitigate any lingering concerns about undisclosed AI usage. Industry observers note that this episode reflects a broader trend in video game development, where studios are increasingly turning to AI for tasks ranging from procedural level design to narrative drafting. While AI can accelerate production and reduce costs, it also raises ethical questions about authorship, credit, and the treatment of human creators.
Sacco’s case highlights the personal impact that these technological shifts can have on individual writers who may feel displaced or undervalued when a machine takes over parts of their job. The situation also underscores the importance of clear communication with both employees and the gaming community.
When allegations of AI substitution surface, players often demand honesty about what they are purchasing. A transparent disclaimer can help manage expectations, but it must be accompanied by genuine accountability. In this instance, Saber’s decision to publicly acknowledge AI involvement and to apologize for the tone of earlier statements is a step toward rebuilding trust.
From a legal perspective, there are no known violations of labor law in this particular case, as the company appears to have followed standard termination procedures. However, the moral dimension—whether it is fair to replace a human writer with a language model without prior notice—remains a point of debate among creators’ unions and advocacy groups. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive may need to establish more robust policies regarding AI usage, including clear guidelines on when and how AI tools can replace human labor, how credit is assigned, and how compensation is handled. Such policies could prevent future misunderstandings and protect both the studio’s reputation and the rights of its staff.
In summary, Saber Interactive’s addition of an AI disclaimer to the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator follows a public dispute sparked by former writer Stella Sacco’s claims of being removed from the project and replaced by ChatGPT. CEO Matt Karch has apologized for his earlier remarks, acknowledging that his reaction was hasty and that he is working to make amends.
The incident serves as a microcosm of the larger conversation about AI’s role in game development, the ethical treatment of creative professionals, and the necessity for transparency with consumers. As the industry continues to experiment with AI, the lessons learned from this episode may help shape more responsible and communicative practices for studios worldwide.