Saber Interactive has now posted a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer on the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator. The move comes after a heated debate sparked by accusations that the company had dismissed a key writer on the project in order to replace her contributions with text generated by AI tools.
The full text of the new disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks 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 has claimed that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator development team part‑way through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT.
She also alleges that additional, as‑yet‑unpublicized AI technologies were employed during the game's creation." In his public reply, Karch asserted that Sacco "was replaced by someone he considered more skilled and was terminated a few months later for a range of reasons," adding that "in hindsight he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI if the situation had called for it." During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch said, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or even seen her in person. We have already disclosed that we are using AI for specific sections of the game, and we will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalised." He continued, "We view the use of AI in this particular title—a lower‑priced offering—as a benefit for the consumer." The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on the BlueSky platform over the weekend, stating that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the terrible way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "From the start I have stood firm that my account is accurate; it now appears that the facts have been corroborated. Matt expressed a desire to make amends with me.
At this moment I am not sure what that will look like, and I need some time to process it, but I do accept his apology." Karch later issued a separate statement on LinkedIn, acknowledging his own emotional reaction. "I unfortunately got triggered by certain later comments—reasons I won’t go into—and I shot first and thought second about how to respond," he admitted.
"It happens, and I am only human. I have done what I can to set things right." The episode highlights a broader industry debate about the role of AI in creative development. While some developers tout AI as a time‑saving tool that can generate placeholder text, concept art, or even dialogue snippets, others warn that reliance on algorithms could undermine the contributions of human writers, artists, and designers. In this case, the allegation that a writer was removed solely to make way for a language model raised concerns about workplace fairness and the transparency of AI usage.
Saber Interactive's decision to add the disclaimer appears to be an attempt to restore trust with the community and to comply with emerging expectations for clear labeling of AI‑generated content. The company has indicated that the AI components will be limited to certain aspects of the game—such as procedural mission descriptions or minor in‑game signage—rather than core narrative elements. Nevertheless, the precise scope of AI integration remains vague, and fans are waiting for a more detailed breakdown. Industry observers note that the controversy could set a precedent for how studios handle similar situations in the future.
If developers choose to disclose AI involvement early and openly, they may avoid the kind of backlash Saber experienced. Conversely, failure to be transparent can lead to reputational damage, as seen in this case, where the CEO's impulsive remarks amplified the issue. In the aftermath, the former writer, Stella Sacco, has not indicated whether she will pursue any legal action, but she has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue to reach a resolution. She emphasized that her primary goal is to ensure that the contributions of human creators are recognised and that any AI usage is disclosed to players.
For gamers and industry watchers alike, the incident serves as a reminder that the integration of artificial intelligence into game development is still a nascent and contested practice. As studios experiment with AI tools, clear communication, ethical guidelines, and respect for the people behind the projects will be essential to navigating the evolving landscape. Saber Interactive has pledged to monitor the situation closely and to update the Steam page with a finalized list of AI‑related features once they are fully implemented.
In the meantime, the company urges players to stay tuned for further announcements and to share any feedback they may have regarding the use of AI in Rideshare Simulator. Overall, the episode underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and measured communication when dealing with emerging technologies in creative industries. It also illustrates how quickly a misstep—whether real or perceived—can snowball into a public relations challenge that demands swift and sincere remediation.