Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an explicit 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 centers on former staff member Stella Sacco, who alleges that she was removed from the project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI tools. In an effort to address the accusations and clarify the company’s stance, Saber’s chief executive, Matt Karch, issued a series of statements that have been widely reported across gaming news outlets.
The newly posted disclaimer reads in full: "This update follows remarks made by Saber CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 to July 2024. Sacco claims she was taken off the Rideshare Simulator team during development and replaced with ChatGPT, and also alleges additional, previously unannounced uses of AI throughout the game's creation. In response, Karch has stated that Sacco was "replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added that "in retrospect [he] would have been happy to replace her 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 said we are using AI for certain parts 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 game, which will be a lower‑priced title, as a benefit for consumers." In a separate post on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, Sacco wrote that Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She continued, "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 posted a public comment on LinkedIn, saying, "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.
It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The saga began when Sacco, who served as the lead writer for Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that her contract was terminated shortly after she raised concerns about the increasing reliance on AI for narrative and dialogue creation. According to her statements, the decision to replace her with a language model was made without any prior discussion with the writing team, and she was not offered an alternative role within the studio. Sacco further alleged that the company had employed AI tools for other aspects of development, such as procedural generation of city layouts, vehicle behavior scripts, and even some marketing copy, all of which were not disclosed to the public or the internal staff at the time.
Matt Karch’s initial reaction, captured in a series of interviews and social media posts, was defensive. He suggested that Sacco’s departure was justified on performance grounds and that the AI replacement was a strategic move aimed at reducing costs and speeding up production. He also hinted that the use of AI in a lower‑priced title could be framed as a consumer-friendly decision, arguing that the technology could lower the final price point for players. However, the backlash from the gaming community and industry observers was swift.
Critics pointed out that the lack of transparency around AI usage raised ethical concerns, particularly regarding the treatment of creative staff and the potential erosion of human‑crafted storytelling. Many commentators highlighted the broader industry trend of integrating AI into game development pipelines, noting that while AI can be a powerful tool, it should complement rather than replace human creators. In response to mounting pressure, Karch posted a more conciliatory message on LinkedIn, acknowledging that his initial response was reactive.
He wrote, "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. It happens and I am a human being.
I have done what I can to rectify." This admission of impulsivity was accompanied by a promise to review the company’s AI policies and to engage in a dialogue with former staff members. The addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page is a tangible outcome of this dialogue. The notice explicitly states that portions of the game's narrative and certain in‑game text have been generated or assisted by artificial‑intelligence systems, and it promises future updates as the development team finalizes the AI features. This move is intended to provide players with clear information about the role AI played in the creation of Rideshare Simulator, thereby addressing concerns about transparency.
From a broader perspective, the incident underscores the growing pains of the gaming industry as it navigates the integration of AI technologies. While AI can accelerate content creation, reduce repetitive tasks, and enable new forms of interactivity, it also raises questions about authorship, job security, and the authenticity of player experiences. Companies like Saber Interactive are now faced with the challenge of balancing efficiency gains with ethical responsibilities toward their creative workforce.
For developers, the key takeaway is the importance of establishing clear policies on AI usage, communicating those policies openly with both staff and the public, and ensuring that AI tools are used to augment rather than supplant human talent. For players, the situation serves as a reminder to look for disclosures about AI involvement, especially in narrative‑driven games where storytelling quality is a major selling point.
As the controversy continues to unfold, both Sacco and Karch have indicated a willingness to move forward, though the exact terms of any reconciliation remain unclear. Sacco’s acceptance of Karch’s apology suggests a potential path toward resolution, but she also emphasized that she needs time to process the events and decide what a satisfactory outcome looks like for her.
In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Rideshare Simulator Steam page reflects an emerging industry standard of transparency regarding AI contributions. The episode also highlights the human side of rapid technological adoption—mistakes, impulsive reactions, and the need for genuine apologies when communication breaks down. As AI becomes more embedded in game development pipelines, the industry will likely see more instances where clear disclosure and respectful treatment of creative staff become essential components of successful, ethically sound game production.