Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a heated dispute erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a 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, publicly alleged that she was removed from the project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT.
Sacco also suggested that other, as‑yet‑undisclosed portions of the game had been created with the assistance of artificial‑intelligence tools. In response to these accusations, Saber’s chief executive officer, Matt Karch, issued a statement that both defended the company’s staffing decisions and hinted at a willingness to lean more heavily on AI in the future.
Karch 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." He further emphasized that the use of AI was not a secret, noting, "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’s comments were picked up by the video‑game news outlet This Week In Videogames, where he was quoted as saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." The remark underscored a tone of disbelief and, to many observers, a dismissive attitude toward Sacco’s claims.
Karch also framed the AI integration as a consumer benefit, stating, "We look at our use of AI in this particular game, which will be a lower priced title, as a plus for consumers." The dispute continued to unfold on social media. Over the weekend, Sacco posted on BlueSky—a decentralized social‑media platform—asserting 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, for his part, posted a separate apology on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction.
"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 addition of the AI disclaimer on Steam is a direct attempt to bring transparency to the development process. The notice 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." Industry observers note that the incident shines a light on a broader, ongoing conversation about the role of AI in creative industries, especially video games.
Developers are increasingly turning to large language models and generative tools to draft dialogue, generate quest text, or even create entire narrative arcs. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate production, reduce costs, and allow smaller studios to punch above their weight.
Critics, however, warn that reliance on AI could marginalize human writers, dilute artistic voice, and raise ethical questions about attribution and labor rights. In Saber Interactive’s case, the controversy touches on both the practical and moral dimensions of AI adoption.
Practically, the company appears to have used AI to fill a gap left by a departing writer, a decision that may have saved time and money but also sparked accusations of replacing human talent with a machine. Morally, the public back‑and‑forth between Sacco and Karch highlights the importance of clear communication and respectful treatment of staff, especially when sensitive topics like employment termination intersect with emerging technologies. The broader gaming community has responded with mixed reactions.
Some players appreciate the transparency and view the AI disclaimer as a positive step toward honesty about the tools used in game creation. Others remain skeptical, fearing that the presence of AI could compromise the narrative quality or result in generic, formulaic content. The debate also raises questions about how future contracts and labor agreements might need to address AI usage explicitly, ensuring that writers and other creatives retain appropriate recognition and compensation when their work is supplemented or replaced by algorithms. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive has signaled that it will continue to refine its AI strategy.
The company plans to finalize the feature set for Rideshare Simulator and update the Steam page accordingly. Whether this will involve more AI‑generated dialogue, procedural content generation, or other AI‑driven enhancements remains to be seen.
The studio’s willingness to publicly acknowledge AI involvement may set a precedent for other developers navigating similar terrain. In summary, the saga of Saber Interactive, Matt Karch, and former writer Stella Sacco underscores the growing pains of integrating artificial intelligence into creative workflows. It illustrates how miscommunication, emotional reactions, and a lack of clear policy can quickly evolve into a public relations challenge. By adding an AI disclaimer and issuing apologies, Saber aims to restore trust with its audience and its former employee, while also contributing to the larger conversation about the responsible use of AI in game development.
The outcome of this episode could influence how studios balance efficiency gains from AI with the need to honor and protect the human talent that has traditionally driven storytelling in video games.