Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam storefront for its upcoming title, Rideshare Simulator, after a wave of controversy surrounding claims that the studio had dismissed a human writer in favor of AI‑generated text. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s page, is intended to clarify the extent of AI usage in the project and to address concerns raised by the gaming community and media outlets.
The full disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows recent statements made by Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch concerning former staff member Stella Sacco. Ms. Sacco was employed by Saber from July 2023 until July 2024 and alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator development team midway through production and subsequently replaced by content generated with ChatGPT. She also claims that additional, previously undisclosed AI tools were employed during the game's creation." In the wake of these allegations, Karch responded publicly, saying that Sacco "was replaced by someone more talented and terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later," and added, "In hindsight I would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI." He further explained, "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 emphasized that the studio had already been transparent about using 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 particular title, which will be positioned as a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit for consumers," Karch continued, suggesting that AI integration could lower development costs and potentially result in a more affordable product for players. The controversy escalated when Sacco posted on the social platform BlueSky over the weekend, stating 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 public comment 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 highlights a broader industry debate about the role of AI in creative processes. On one side, developers argue that AI tools can streamline repetitive tasks, generate placeholder text, and free up human writers to focus on higher‑level storytelling. On the other side, critics worry that reliance on AI could erode job security for writers, diminish the uniqueness of narrative voice, and lead to ethical concerns about attribution and transparency.
For Saber Interactive, a studio known for titles such as "The Sinking City" and the "Mafia" series, the controversy has sparked a flurry of discussion on forums, social media, and within the broader gaming press. Many users have expressed disappointment that a writer who contributed to the game's early development was allegedly removed without clear communication.
Others have pointed out that the company's willingness to add a disclaimer demonstrates a level of accountability that is often lacking in the industry. From a legal perspective, the use of AI-generated content can raise questions about intellectual property rights. If an AI model like ChatGPT produces a paragraph of dialogue, who owns that text—the developer, the AI provider, or the original human author who may have supplied prompts? While current copyright law does not yet provide definitive answers, companies are increasingly adopting internal policies to document AI usage and to ensure that any AI‑assisted material is reviewed by human editors before release.
In response to the backlash, Saber Interactive has pledged to be more forthcoming about its AI workflow. The studio plans to publish a detailed breakdown of which game elements—such as environmental descriptions, non‑player character (NPC) dialogue, or marketing copy—were assisted by AI, and which were crafted entirely by human staff. This level of transparency is intended to reassure both consumers and industry peers that the creative integrity of the game remains intact.
Meanwhile, Matt Karch's apology, though publicly posted, has been met with mixed reactions. Some observers appreciate the acknowledgment of a misstep and view it as a step toward better communication. Others remain skeptical, noting that the apology came after significant public pressure and that the underlying issue of replacing a human writer with an algorithm still needs concrete resolution.
The broader conversation about AI in game development is likely to continue evolving. As large language models become more capable, studios will need to balance efficiency gains with ethical considerations, ensuring that writers and other creative professionals are treated fairly.
The Rideshare Simulator case may serve as a cautionary tale for other developers, illustrating the importance of clear policies, open dialogue, and respect for the contributions of human talent. In summary, Saber Interactive has now placed an explicit AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator, acknowledging the use of tools like ChatGPT in the game's creation. CEO Matt Karch has publicly apologized to former writer Stella Sacco, admitting that his initial reaction to criticism was impulsive.
The incident has ignited a wider debate about AI's place in video game storytelling, the rights of writers, and the need for transparency in an industry that is rapidly integrating advanced technologies. The studio's forthcoming detailed AI usage report will be closely watched as an indicator of how the sector might navigate these challenges moving forward.