Saber Interactive has now appended a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of criticism surrounding claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, which appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the extent of AI usage and to address concerns raised by both the gaming community and industry observers.
The full text of the 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 company from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI tools used during the game's creation.
In response, Mr. Karch has stated that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he deems more skilled and that her employment was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later. He further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI.
"Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her," Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames. "We have already disclosed that we are employing AI for certain components of the game and will update the Steam page once we have finalized the feature set." "We view our use of AI in this particular, lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers." In a recent post on the social platform BlueSky, Sacco wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She added, "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 also issued a separate public 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 wrote. "It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The controversy began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who served as the lead writer on Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that her position was eliminated partway through production and that the studio turned to ChatGPT—a large language model developed by OpenAI—to generate narrative content. Sacco’s allegations suggested that the company had not only replaced her with AI but also employed other undisclosed artificial‑intelligence tools throughout the development pipeline, raising ethical and legal questions about authorship, compensation, and transparency.
Sacco’s statements quickly spread across gaming forums, social media, and industry news sites, prompting a broader debate about the role of AI in creative industries. Critics argued that using AI to replace a human writer could undermine the artistic integrity of the game and set a concerning precedent for other studios seeking cost‑saving measures.
Supporters, however, pointed out that AI can serve as a valuable assistant, helping to generate placeholder text, streamline localization, or provide inspiration for human writers. In the wake of the backlash, Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, attempted to clarify the situation.
During an interview with This Week In Videogames, he seemed to downplay the severity of the accusations, stating that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented" and that her eventual termination was due to a "variety of reasons" unrelated to the AI debate. He also hinted that, in hindsight, he might have been comfortable using AI to fill the writing role, a comment that only intensified the controversy. Karch’s remarks sparked further outrage, especially when he appeared to question Sacco’s existence, saying, "Stella who?
I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." The reference to Claude—a rival AI model—was interpreted by many as a dismissive jab, suggesting that Karch either did not recall the writer or was attempting to deflect responsibility. The situation escalated when Sacco posted on BlueSky, a decentralized social network, indicating that Karch had offered an unreserved apology for his public comments. She acknowledged his desire to make amends but expressed uncertainty about what concrete steps would look like, emphasizing that she needed time to process the apology.
Her statement underscored the personal impact of the dispute and highlighted the emotional toll of being publicly dismissed in favor of a machine. Karch’s LinkedIn post later that week attempted to humanize his reaction. He admitted that he had been "triggered" by subsequent remarks—though he declined to specify which comments—leading him to respond impulsively.
By framing his behavior as a human error, Karch seemed to seek empathy, while also asserting that he had taken steps to correct the situation. In response to the growing scrutiny, Saber Interactive updated the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator with the aforementioned AI disclaimer. The notice serves multiple purposes: it informs potential buyers about the presence of AI‑generated content, it attempts to restore transparency, and it signals the studio’s willingness to comply with emerging industry standards regarding AI disclosure. The broader industry context is worth noting.
Over the past few years, game developers have experimented with AI tools for everything from procedural level design to voice synthesis. However, the use of AI for narrative writing remains contentious, as storytelling is traditionally viewed as a deeply human craft. Regulatory bodies in several jurisdictions are beginning to consider guidelines that would require explicit disclosure when AI contributes significantly to creative works. For consumers, the key takeaway is that Rideshare Simulator may contain sections of dialogue, mission descriptions, or in‑game text that were generated or assisted by AI.
This does not necessarily diminish the overall quality of the game, but it does raise questions about authenticity, originality, and the value placed on human creativity. Looking ahead, Saber Interactive’s handling of the incident could set a precedent for how other studios address similar controversies. By openly acknowledging AI usage and providing a public apology, the company may mitigate some of the reputational damage. Nonetheless, the episode highlights the delicate balance developers must strike between leveraging cutting‑edge technology and maintaining respect for the human talent that traditionally drives game narratives.
In summary, Saber Interactive has placed an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator after accusations that a human writer was replaced by ChatGPT. CEO Matt Karch has issued an apology to former lead writer Stella Sacco, admitting that his initial reaction was impulsive and that he was triggered by later comments. The dispute has ignited a wider conversation about AI’s role in game development, the importance of transparency, and the ethical considerations of substituting human creators with machine‑generated content.