Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal AI usage disclaimer to the Steam store page for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy erupted surrounding claims that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project in favor of content generated by artificial intelligence. The notice, which now appears prominently on the game’s storefront, is intended to clarify the studio’s approach to AI tools and to address the concerns raised by former employee Stella Sacco and the broader gaming community.
The full text of the newly posted 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 the studio from July 2023 until July 2024. Sacco alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator project midway through development and that her responsibilities were subsequently filled by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed AI applications used during the game's creation.
In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms. Sacco was replaced by an individual he described as 'more talented' and that her employment was terminated for a variety of reasons a few months later.
He also added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI-generated content." During an interview with the podcast This Week In Videogames, Karch further elaborated on the situation, stating, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or even seen her in person." He went on to confirm that the studio had indeed incorporated 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 is positioned as a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit for consumers," he added. The controversy deepened when Sacco posted on the social networking platform BlueSky over the weekend, noting 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 also issued a separate public statement on LinkedIn, in which he admitted, "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 episode raises several broader questions about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in game development, the ethics of replacing human creators with machine‑generated content, and the responsibilities of studios to be transparent with both their employees and their audiences. While AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models can accelerate writing, localization, and even procedural content creation, the industry is still grappling with where to draw the line between assistance and outright substitution.
Industry observers note that the use of AI in narrative design is not new, but the public acknowledgment of replacing a named writer with a chatbot is relatively rare. Many developers treat AI as a collaborative partner—providing drafts, generating dialogue variations, or assisting with quality‑of‑life tasks—while retaining human oversight for tone, character consistency, and storytelling cohesion.
In Sacco’s case, the claim that her role was completely eliminated and supplanted by ChatGPT suggests a more extreme application, prompting backlash from both fans and fellow creators who worry about job security and creative integrity. From a consumer perspective, the inclusion of an AI disclaimer can be seen as a move toward greater transparency.
Players who value handcrafted narratives may appreciate knowing whether a game’s story elements were primarily authored by humans or generated by algorithms. Conversely, some gamers might view AI involvement as a cost‑saving measure that could potentially lower the overall quality of the experience, especially in a title marketed as an affordable, entry‑level simulation. The situation also highlights the importance of clear communication within studios. Sacco’s allegation that she was removed without proper explanation and replaced by a machine underscores a potential breakdown in internal processes.
Best practices in the industry recommend that any transition involving AI assistance be documented, communicated to all stakeholders, and accompanied by a plan for maintaining creative standards. When such protocols are absent, misunderstandings can quickly spiral into public disputes, as evidenced by the heated exchange between Sacco and Karch. In response to the controversy, Saber Interactive has pledged to finalize its AI usage policy and update its public documentation accordingly.
The company’s leadership has indicated that the AI features slated for Rideshare Simulator will be limited to specific, non‑narrative components, such as in‑game tutorials, UI text, and procedural traffic patterns. This approach aims to reassure the community that the core storytelling and design decisions remain under human direction. The broader gaming community continues to watch the fallout closely.
Some commentators argue that the incident could serve as a catalyst for industry‑wide guidelines on AI disclosure, similar to how transparency around loot boxes and microtransactions eventually led to regulatory scrutiny. Others caution that over‑regulation might stifle innovation, preventing studios from leveraging powerful tools that could enhance productivity and creativity when used responsibly.
Ultimately, the episode underscores a pivotal moment in the intersection of technology and creativity. As AI becomes more capable and accessible, developers must balance efficiency gains with ethical considerations, ensuring that human talent is respected and that audiences are kept informed about how their games are made.
Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Steam page, coupled with Karch’s public apology, represents an early attempt to navigate this complex terrain, offering a case study that other studios will likely examine as they chart their own paths forward in an increasingly AI‑augmented industry.