Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch apologized to former lead writer Stella Sacco after she alleged she was replaced by ChatGPT on the game Rideshare Stimulator,
a claim the company denies.
Saber Interactive’s CEO, Matt Karch, issued a public apology to Stella Sacco, the former lead writer of the upcoming game Rideshare Stimulator,
after she alleged she was replaced by ChatGPT during development. The apology came amid a weeklong firestorm over the studio’s use of artificial intelligence in game writing, with Sacco claiming she was fired in favor of AI in December 2023. Saber has consistently denied the allegations, stating no writers were replaced with AI and that the game’s story was written by “real people.”
The Conflict Escalates: Sacco’s Claims and Saber’s Denials
Sacco first raised the allegation on Bluesky, stating she was replaced by AI midway through development
and that all the passenger voices were AI too.
She cited a December 2023 social media post where she wrote, I got replaced on one of my games at work. By ChatGPT,
and shared an image of the message. Sacco also claimed that one to two AI dummy higher-ups at Saber
made the decision, and that her boss argued against the move.
Karch’s initial response was dismissive, writing, Stella who? I had to ask Claude because I have never spoken to her or seen her.
The CEO later backtracked, issuing an apology after Sacco’s claims gained traction. Last night, to my great surprise, I received a long email from Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch,
posted writer Stella Sacco. He apologized unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press.
Sacco, however, remained skeptical, noting, I’ve been firm from the beginning that I was telling the truth; I think we can all now agree that’s been borne out.
Saber’s Defense: Tripled Writers and AI’s Role in the Game
Saber has consistently denied replacing writers with AI, emphasizing that its staff of writers has tripled since 2023.
In a statement to PC Gamer, the company said, Neither Saber nor Unigine have replaced any writers with AI for Rideshare or any other game.
The studio also clarified that the game’s free-ride mode,
which features an “infinite” number of passengers, uses AI to generate unique stories, a necessity for the game’s mechanics. We are firm believers in using AI tools to improve or enhance gameplay experiences,
the statement added.
Sacco disputed this, arguing that the AI’s role extended beyond the free-ride mode. She claimed that the decision to replace me with a chatbot was made by 'one to two AI dummy higher-ups at Saber,'
and that she was removed to use ChatGPT to write the rest of the text, including planned live updates.
The Trailer’s Fallout: AI Dialogue and Player Backlash
The controversy intensified after a trailer for Rideshare Stimulator
surfaced, revealing dialogue and voice acting generated by AI. The Steam page for the game mentions unique and unpredictable passenger stories,
but Sacco argued this undermined the game’s narrative quality, stating, The mechanics of driving will provide a skeleton, but it's the people in the game world that will give it life—or not, as the case may be.
Either they changed direction at some point or they’re not disclosing it on Steam,
she wrote.
What Comes Next: Apology, Transparency, and Industry Reactions
The apology from Karch has not fully quelled the controversy, with Sacco expressing uncertainty about its meaning. At this time I don’t really know what that looks like for me,
she wrote, adding that she will have to take some time to sit with it.
Saber’s stance on AI remains clear: None of our 3000+ employees have to worry about being replaced by AI.
However, the company’s acknowledgment of AI use in non-campaign mission dialogue
and “free-ride mode” leaves room for skepticism. As the game approaches its release, the debate over AI’s role in creative industries will likely continue, with players and developers watching closely for further disclosures.
