Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch has apologised to Stella Sacco, the former lead writer of Rideshare “Simulator”, after a public dispute over the game’s use of generative AI.
The disagreement followed the release of the game’s announcement trailer, which included a joke aimed at Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford. Attention soon shifted to Saber after Sacco said she had been replaced by ChatGPT and that the game’s Steam page did not clearly disclose its AI use.
A public dispute over the writing role
Sacco’s claim prompted an initial denial from Saber. Karch then issued a more personal response, saying the company planned to add a Steam disclaimer after finalising the game’s feature set. His reply also questioned whether he knew Sacco, including the line, “Stella who?” and a remark that he had asked Claude because he had never spoken with her or seen her.
The response quickly became a larger story than the game’s trailer. A dramatic reading of Karch’s post added to the online attention surrounding the dispute.
For readers following the wider games industry, the episode is another reminder that a studio’s communication about development tools can become as consequential as the technology itself. RETROCADE’s arcade news and industry coverage explores similar changes affecting game production and play.
Saber adds an AI disclosure to the Steam page
Saber subsequently updated the Steam page for Rideshare “Simulator”. The disclosure states that generative AI was used for a substantial portion of the game’s voice-over work, music and dialogue in missions outside the campaign.
Sacco continued to stand by her account of what happened. The updated disclosure also gave context to the original argument, even as questions remained about the precise circumstances of her departure and the extent of AI’s role in the project.
“Last night, to my great surprise, I received a long email from Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch,” Sacco wrote.
She said Karch apologised without reservation for the way he had spoken about her publicly. Sacco added that the complete email would remain private, but said she believed her original account had been supported by subsequent events.
Sacco said Karch expressed a wish to make amends. She did not yet know what that would involve and intended to take time before deciding, but said she accepted the apology.
An apology, but no simple resolution
Sacco described apologies as being in short supply and said she did not want to reject one when it was offered. She also expressed hope that this would be her final public statement on the matter.
The incident may be of interest to anyone weighing how technology changes the work behind games, from voice production and music to dialogue and mission design. When comparing modern digital experiences with dedicated hardware, RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide covers the practical differences between cabinet formats, while arcade parts and controls offer a reminder of the physical craft involved in keeping classic machines playable.
For now, the public sequence is clear: Sacco made allegations about her replacement and the game’s disclosure; Saber first denied the claim; Karch responded combatively; the Steam page was updated with an AI notice; and the CEO later apologised directly to the writer.
Sacco’s account of the apology was shared publicly on Bluesky. Stella Sacco’s public account records her acceptance of the apology while making clear that the private email itself will not be published.
The episode also illustrates why transparent labelling matters. Players can make better-informed decisions when a game page explains where generative tools have been used, particularly in areas such as performance, soundtrack creation and non-campaign dialogue.
What has been confirmed
- Stella Sacco was the former lead writer on Rideshare “Simulator”.
- Sacco said the company replaced her with ChatGPT and initially failed to disclose the use on Steam.
- Saber later added an AI disclaimer to the game’s Steam page.
- The notice says much of the voice-over, music and non-campaign mission dialogue was generated with AI.
- Matt Karch apologised to Sacco for his public comments, and she said she accepted the apology.
The dispute is unlikely to settle every question about authorship, employment or disclosure in game development. It does, however, end this particular exchange with an acknowledgement from Saber’s chief executive and a clearer public record of the tools used in the game.
As the industry continues to debate AI-assisted production, the response from players and developers will remain important. Clear credits, accurate store-page information and respectful communication can all help prevent a development controversy from overwhelming the game it was meant to promote.
Readers interested in the hardware side of interactive entertainment can also browse RETROCADE’s arcade machine collection or explore DIY arcade kits for projects built around hands-on play.
For Sacco, the apology provides at least a pause after several days of competing statements. Whether further details emerge about her role or the game’s production remains unknown.
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