Saber Interactive adds AI disclaimer to Rideshare on Steam; CEO Matt Karch apologies to former lead writer

Saber Interactive has updated Rideshare Simulator’s Steam page with a detailed AI disclaimer after controversy over how the game’s writing work was handled. The disclosure separates the human-written main campaign from AI-assisted systems, including voice generation, some localisation, optional Free Ride missions, and AI-generated music stations that are clearly labeled in-game.

That matters because the game has become a live example of how AI use can spill beyond production into hiring, credits, and public trust. For teams shipping narrative-heavy games, the practical issue isn’t just whether AI is used, but where it’s used, how clearly it’s disclosed, and whether players can opt out of AI-authored content.

The controversy centers on former lead writer Stella Sacco, who said she was removed from the project midway through development and replaced with ChatGPT, along with other alleged AI use. Saber CEO Matt Karch responded publicly, saying she was replaced by someone more talented and later terminated, then later said he would have been happy to replace her with AI in retrospect.

Karch has since posted a public apology, saying he “shot first and thought second,” while Sacco said she accepts the apology but is still deciding what making it right would look like. For developers, this is a reminder that AI policy is now a production, legal, and reputational issue, not just a tooling choice.