Summary
Saber Interactive has updated the Steam page for Rideshare Simulator with a detailed AI disclaimer after controversy over how the studio handled a former writer and AI use in the game. Ex-writer Stella Sacco, who worked at Saber from July 2023 to July 2024, said she was removed from the project mid-development and replaced with ChatGPT, and alleged broader unannounced AI use. CEO Matt Karch initially responded dismissively in press comments, saying Sacco was replaced by someone more talented, that he had never spoken to her, and that in retrospect he would have been happy to replace her with AI. Karch has since apologised, telling Sacco he was triggered by later comments and shot first then thought second; Sacco said on Bluesky that he apologised unreservedly and that she accepts the apology while still deciding what making it right means for her. The new Steam disclosure states the main campaign story, characters, and dialogue are written by human writers, with AI used for voice generation and some localisation; optional Free Ride mode includes AI-generated passenger missions and localised dialogue and can be skipped; radio stations mix human-made and clearly labeled AI-generated music.
Key Points
- Steam disclaimer: main campaign narrative is human-written; AI used for voice generation and some localisation
- Optional Free Ride mode uses AI-generated passenger missions and dialogue and can be skipped
- In-game radio mixes human and AI music, with AI stations labeled
- Stella Sacco alleged mid-dev removal from Rideshare and replacement with ChatGPT
- Matt Karch’s earlier comments included saying he would have been happy to replace her with AI
- Karch later apologised publicly; Sacco accepted the apology on Bluesky
