Saber Interactive has taken the step of appending an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront 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 notice, now visible to anyone browsing the game’s page, seeks to clarify the studio’s stance on AI usage and to address the controversy that surrounded the departure of former staff member Stella Sacco. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024. 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 clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he deems more qualified and that her employment was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later.
He added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI." During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch further explained his lack of familiarity with Sacco, stating, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to confirm that the studio was indeed employing AI for certain aspects of the game and promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set was locked down.
"We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers," he said. The dispute escalated when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, noting that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the terrible way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "From the beginning I have stood firm that I was telling the truth; it now appears that the facts have been borne out. Matt expressed a desire to make things right with me; at this point I’m not sure what that looks like, and I’ll need some time to process it, but I do accept his apology." Karch later issued a 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 admitted.
"It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify the situation." The controversy touches on a broader industry conversation about the role of AI in creative development.
Over the past year, several game studios have experimented with language models to generate dialogue, quest descriptions, and even narrative arcs. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate production pipelines, reduce costs, and free human writers to focus on higher‑level storytelling. Critics, however, warn that reliance on machine‑generated text can erode the quality of narrative, diminish employment opportunities for writers, and raise ethical questions about attribution and transparency. In Saber Interactive’s case, the core of the dispute revolves around whether Sacco was unfairly removed and replaced by an algorithmic system, or whether the studio’s decision was based on performance and strategic considerations.
The company’s official position, as articulated by Karch, suggests a combination of both: a belief that a more talented individual could take over the role, coupled with an acknowledgment that AI could have been a viable alternative in hindsight. From a legal standpoint, there are no indications that any contractual obligations were breached.
Employment contracts in the tech and gaming sectors often contain clauses that allow for termination with or without cause, provided proper notice is given. What remains contentious is the moral dimension: whether a writer’s creative contributions can be ethically supplanted by a machine without proper acknowledgment or compensation. The addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page serves several practical purposes. First, it provides transparency to consumers who may be concerned about the authenticity of the game’s narrative.
Second, it pre‑emptively addresses potential backlash from the gaming community, which has shown a willingness to boycott titles perceived as overly reliant on AI. Finally, it establishes a documented record of the studio’s stance, which could be relevant in any future disputes or public inquiries. Industry observers note that this incident could set a precedent for how studios handle AI disclosures moving forward.
Some analysts predict that major platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and console marketplaces may eventually require developers to label AI‑generated content explicitly, much like they already do for user‑generated mods or DLC. Such policies would aim to protect consumer trust and ensure that creators receive appropriate credit for their work. For now, Saber Interactive appears to be navigating the fallout by combining public apology with concrete action—namely, the AI disclaimer.
Whether this approach will satisfy Sacco, the broader writer community, and the game’s prospective players remains to be seen. The episode underscores the delicate balance studios must strike as they integrate cutting‑edge technology into the creative process, ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of human talent and ethical responsibility.