Saber Interactive has now appended an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its title Rideshare Simulator, a move that comes after a heated dispute over claims that the studio had dismissed a writer on the project in order to replace her work with text generated by AI. The company’s decision to make the notice public reflects growing scrutiny within the gaming community regarding the ethical use of machine‑learning tools in creative pipelines.
The full wording of the 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 through July 2024. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare development team part‑way through production and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during the game's creation." In his public statements, Karch countered Sacco’s allegations by saying she was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and he added, "in retrospect I would have been comfortable replacing 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 explained that the studio had already disclosed its intention to employ AI for specific components of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature list was settled. "We view our use of AI in this particular title, which is positioned as a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit for consumers," Karch asserted, suggesting that cost savings and efficiency gains could translate into a better value proposition for players. 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'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 statement 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 episode raises several broader questions about the role of AI in game development. On one hand, developers argue that tools like ChatGPT can accelerate content creation, generate placeholder text, or assist with localization, thereby freeing human writers to focus on higher‑level narrative design. On the other hand, critics warn that over‑reliance on AI could undermine the craft of storytelling, reduce employment opportunities for writers, and introduce ethical concerns around attribution and originality.
Industry analysts note that the use of AI in video games is still in its infancy, but it is expanding rapidly. Studios are experimenting with AI‑driven procedural generation for environments, dialogue systems that adapt to player choices, and even AI‑assisted voice acting.
However, the technology is not yet a perfect substitute for human creativity, especially when it comes to nuanced character development and emotionally resonant plot arcs. Saber Interactive’s decision to publicly acknowledge its AI usage may set a precedent for transparency in the sector. By placing a disclaimer on the Steam page, the company is giving consumers clear information about what portions of the game may have been generated or assisted by algorithms.
This move could help mitigate backlash from players who feel misled if they discover that significant narrative elements were not hand‑crafted. For writers like Sacco, the situation underscores the precarious nature of employment in a field where automation is becoming increasingly viable.
While the studio claims that her replacement was "more talented," the timing of her departure—coinciding with the introduction of AI tools—has led many observers to suspect that cost‑cutting motives played a role. In response to the fallout, several game development unions and advocacy groups have called for clearer guidelines on AI disclosure. They argue that developers should be required to label AI‑generated content, similar to how food products must list ingredients, to ensure that creators and consumers alike can make informed decisions.
From a legal standpoint, the use of AI-generated text raises copyright questions. If an algorithm produces a line of dialogue, who owns the rights—the studio, the programmer who trained the model, or the AI itself?
Current intellectual property law is still catching up with these scenarios, and lawsuits are beginning to emerge in other creative industries. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive may need to navigate both the practical benefits of AI and the reputational risks associated with perceived mistreatment of staff. The company’s public apology suggests an attempt to repair relationships, but the long‑term impact on its brand will depend on how consistently it adheres to the transparency promises it has made. In summary, the addition of an AI disclaimer to Rideshare Simulator’s Steam page reflects a growing awareness of the ethical implications surrounding artificial intelligence in game development.
CEO Matt Karch’s apology to former writer Stella Sacco acknowledges a misstep in communication, while the broader industry watches closely to see how studios balance efficiency gains with respect for creative talent and consumer trust.