Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam store page for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the company had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s current and future use of machine‑learning tools in the development process and to address the public outcry that followed the allegations. The full wording of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former writer Stella Sacco, who was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024. Ms.
Sacco has asserted that she was removed from the Rideshare project midway through its development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used in the creation of the game. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as ‘more talented,’ and that she was terminated for a range 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," Mr.
Karch told the podcast This Week In Videogames. "We have already announced that we are employing AI for certain aspects of the game and will update the Steam page once the feature set is finalized." "We view our use of AI in this particular, lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers." The controversy escalated when Ms.
Sacco posted on the social network BlueSky over the weekend, stating that Mr. Karch had "apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She wrote, "I have been firm from the beginning that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that it has 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." In a separate public comment on LinkedIn, Karch elaborated on his emotional reaction, 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 sequence of events highlights a broader debate within the video‑game industry about the role of AI in creative workflows.
On one side, developers argue that tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models can accelerate content generation, reduce repetitive writing tasks, and free human writers to focus on higher‑level narrative design. On the other side, critics worry that reliance on AI may marginalize skilled writers, dilute the artistic voice of a project, and raise ethical concerns about transparency and attribution. In the case of Rideshare Simulator, the game is positioned as a lower‑priced, niche experience that simulates the day‑to‑day operations of a rideshare driver. The studio has indicated that AI will be used for certain in‑game text elements, such as procedural mission descriptions, dynamic passenger dialogue, and possibly some marketing copy.
By placing the disclaimer on Steam, Saber Interactive appears to be taking a proactive stance, ensuring that potential buyers are aware of the AI involvement before they purchase. The reaction from the gaming community has been mixed.
Some players appreciate the transparency and view the use of AI as a pragmatic solution for a budget title. Others remain skeptical, fearing that the quality of writing may suffer and that the company could be setting a precedent for replacing human talent with algorithms. The situation also raises questions about employment practices in the industry, especially when a writer claims she was removed mid‑project and replaced by a machine. From a legal perspective, there are currently few regulations that specifically address AI‑generated content in video games.
However, consumer protection laws in several jurisdictions require clear disclosure when a product includes significant AI components, particularly if those components affect the user experience. By adding the disclaimer, Saber Interactive may be pre‑emptively aligning itself with emerging standards and avoiding potential litigation.
Looking ahead, the company has promised to update the Steam page once the final feature set is locked, suggesting that the AI implementation is still evolving. This could mean that additional AI‑driven features—perhaps in voice synthesis, NPC behavior, or adaptive difficulty—might be introduced before launch. The studio’s willingness to publicly discuss its AI strategy could also influence other developers, prompting them to adopt similar transparency measures. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to post an AI disclaimer on the Rideshare Simulator Steam page follows a contentious episode involving former writer Stella Sacco, who alleged she was replaced by ChatGPT and that the studio concealed its AI usage.
CEO Matt Karch has issued an apology, acknowledging his impulsive reaction to criticism and expressing a desire to make amends. The incident underscores the ongoing tension between technological efficiency and creative integrity in game development, while also highlighting the importance of clear communication with consumers about the role of artificial intelligence in modern video games.