Saber Interactive has taken the step of attaching an artificial‑intelligence disclaimer to the Steam listing for its title Rideshare Simulator after a heated debate erupted over claims that the company had dismissed a writer in favor of machine‑generated text. The notice, posted directly on the game's storefront, seeks to clarify the studio’s stance on AI usage and to address the allegations that a human contributor was replaced by a language model during development. The full text of the disclaimer reads as follows: "This update follows remarks made by Saber 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 project midway through its creation and that her responsibilities were taken over by ChatGPT, alongside other undisclosed applications of AI throughout the game's production. In response, Mr. Karch has clarified that Ms.
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 finalised the feature set." "We view our use of AI in this particular title, which will be a lower‑priced offering, as a benefit for consumers." In a 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 also issued a separate public statement 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 controversy began when former staff member Stella Sacco, who served as the lead writer on Rideshare Simulator, publicly claimed that she was removed from the project after roughly a year of service and that her writing duties were handed over to the AI chatbot ChatGPT.
Sacco further suggested that the studio had employed additional, undisclosed AI tools during the game's development, raising questions about transparency, authorship, and the ethical treatment of creative talent. Matt Karch, the chief executive of Saber Interactive, responded with a mixture of denial and justification. He asserted that Sacco was let go for performance‑related reasons and that the decision to bring in a more "talented" individual was independent of any AI considerations. Yet, in the same breath, he admitted that, looking back, he would have been comfortable substituting a human writer with an artificial‑intelligence system, a comment that only intensified the debate.
Karch’s remarks on the This Week In Videogames podcast added a further layer of confusion. He claimed he had never met Sacco and even consulted the AI assistant Claude to verify her existence, a statement that many observers found both humorous and concerning.
By suggesting that the studio had already disclosed its AI usage and would update the Steam page once the feature list was finalized, Karch implied that the current disclaimer was a work in progress rather than a final admission. The broader industry context is worth noting.
Over the past few years, game developers have increasingly experimented with AI for tasks ranging from procedural content generation to narrative drafting. Proponents argue that AI can accelerate production, reduce costs, and enable smaller studios to punch above their weight. Critics, however, warn that reliance on AI may erode the role of human creators, dilute artistic quality, and create legal gray areas around intellectual property and attribution.
In Sacco’s BlueSky post, she expressed a cautious optimism about the apology, acknowledging that she had stood by her account from the outset and that the truth seemed to be emerging. She also indicated that she needed time to consider what a satisfactory resolution would look like, hinting that the matter was not yet fully settled. Karch’s LinkedIn apology framed his reaction as an emotional, impulsive response to comments he found provocative.
By describing himself as “human” and admitting to “shooting first and thinking second,” he attempted to humanise his misstep and signal a willingness to make amends. He concluded by stating that he had taken steps to correct the situation, though he offered no concrete details about reparations, policy changes, or future safeguards. The addition of the AI disclaimer to the Steam page serves several purposes.
First, it provides transparency for consumers who may be concerned about the extent of AI involvement in a game they are considering purchasing. Second, it acts as a public record of the studio’s acknowledgment of the controversy, potentially shielding Saber Interactive from further accusations of secrecy.
Finally, it may set a precedent for other developers facing similar scrutiny, encouraging them to disclose AI usage more openly. From a legal perspective, the situation touches on employment law, contract obligations, and potential wrongful termination claims.
If Sacco’s allegations prove accurate, the studio could face scrutiny for replacing a human writer with an AI without proper notice or compensation. Conversely, if the studio’s narrative holds—that Sacco was terminated for performance issues and that AI was only used in limited, non‑core capacities—the controversy may fade as a public relations misstep.
The gaming community’s reaction has been mixed. Some players appreciate the studio’s willingness to be forthright about AI, seeing it as a sign of modern, forward‑thinking development practices.
Others remain skeptical, fearing that AI could lead to homogenised storytelling, reduced job opportunities for writers, and a loss of the nuanced, human touch that many associate with memorable game narratives. In summary, Saber Interactive’s decision to place an AI disclaimer on the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator reflects an effort to address a multi‑faceted dispute involving former writer Stella Sacco, accusations of AI substitution, and the CEO’s public apology. The episode highlights the growing pains of an industry grappling with the integration of artificial intelligence, the importance of clear communication with both staff and consumers, and the need for robust policies that balance innovation with ethical treatment of creative professionals.