Saber Interactive has taken the step of adding a formal AI disclaimer to the Steam store listing for its title Rideshare Simulator after a wave of controversy erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer working on the project in favor of content generated by artificial intelligence. The notice, now visible to anyone browsing the game's page, seeks to clarify the studio's stance on AI involvement and to address the allegations that have been circulating online.
The full text 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 alleges that she was removed from the Rideshare Simulator development team midway through production 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 further added that, in hindsight, he would have been comfortable substituting her work with AI-generated content." In an interview with the video‑game podcast "This Week In Videogames," Karch elaborated on the situation, saying, "Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her." He went on to explain that the studio had already announced the use of AI for certain aspects of the game and that a more detailed update to the Steam page would be posted once the feature set was finalized. "We view our use of AI in this lower‑priced title as a benefit for consumers," he added.
The controversy took another turn over the weekend when Sacco posted on the social network BlueSky, 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 to the unfolding drama. "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 wrote.
"It happens and I am a human being. I have done what I can to rectify." The incident highlights a broader industry conversation about the role of AI in game development. As tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and other large language models become more sophisticated, studios are experimenting with them for tasks ranging from narrative drafting to bug‑report summarisation. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate production timelines, reduce costs, and free human creators to focus on higher‑level design decisions.
Critics, however, warn that reliance on machine‑generated text may diminish the authenticity of storytelling, marginalise writers, and raise ethical questions about attribution and compensation. In Saber Interactive's case, the specific claim that a human writer was replaced mid‑project by an AI model has sparked a debate about employment practices in the tech‑creative sector. While the company maintains that Sacco's departure was due to performance‑related reasons and not solely because of AI, the timing of the AI disclaimer suggests the studio feels pressure to be transparent about its workflow. Industry analysts note that the situation is not unique.
Several high‑profile studios have faced similar scrutiny after employees or former employees alleged that AI tools were used to generate large portions of dialogue, quest descriptions, or marketing copy without proper acknowledgment. In some instances, unions and writer guilds have called for clearer guidelines and contractual language to protect writers' rights when AI is introduced into the pipeline. From a consumer perspective, the added disclaimer may serve as a signal that the final product could contain AI‑generated elements.
Players who value handcrafted narratives might view this as a downside, while others may appreciate the potential for more frequent updates or expanded content that AI can help produce. The disclaimer also positions Saber Interactive to pre‑empt potential legal challenges related to intellectual property, as AI‑generated text can raise questions about ownership and originality.
Looking ahead, the company has indicated that it will continue to refine its AI usage policies and provide updates as the development of Rideshare Simulator progresses. Karch's public apology and his admission of an impulsive response suggest an attempt to mend the relationship with Sacco and to restore public confidence. Whether this gesture will be sufficient to quell the criticism remains to be seen, but it underscores the delicate balance studios must strike between leveraging cutting‑edge technology and maintaining ethical labor practices. In summary, Saber Interactive's decision to place an AI usage notice on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator reflects both a reaction to specific allegations involving former writer Stella Sacco and a broader industry trend toward greater transparency about artificial‑intelligence tools.
CEO Matt Karch's apology, coupled with his candid acknowledgment of a hasty reaction, adds a human element to the controversy, reminding observers that even in a high‑tech field, emotions and communication play a pivotal role. As the conversation around AI in gaming continues to evolve, both developers and players will be watching closely to see how studios navigate the promises and pitfalls of this emerging technology.