Video game publisher Saber Interactive has provided new transparency regarding artificial intelligence implementation in its upcoming title Rideshare Simulator, following a highly publicized confrontation with a former employee who claimed she was replaced by AI technology during the game’s development. The disclosure comes after former lead writer Stella Sacco publicly alleged that she had been removed from the project in favor of ChatGPT, sparking a broader conversation about the growing role of generative AI in video game development and the treatment of creative professionals in the industry.
The controversy erupted earlier this week when Sacco took to social media to share her experience working on the project, claiming she was taken off the game midway through development specifically so the company could use AI to generate narrative content. Her allegations quickly gained traction within the gaming community, prompting responses from both the company’s CEO and eventually leading to the updated disclosure on the game’s official Steam store page.
Saber Interactive Updates Steam Page With AI Disclosure
In response to the mounting controversy, Saber Interactive has updated Rideshare Simulator’s Steam page with detailed information about how artificial intelligence tools are being utilized in the game’s development. According to the new disclosure, the game employs AI technology for voice generation and portions of the localization process, which involves adapting the game for different languages and regions. Perhaps most notably, the game will feature AI-generated passenger missions, though the company has implemented an option for players who prefer to experience only human-created content to skip these segments entirely.
The updated information also reveals that Rideshare Simulator will include radio stations featuring a mix of human-composed music and AI-generated tracks, with the latter being clearly labeled within the game interface. However, Saber Interactive emphasized in its statement that the core narrative elements remain human-crafted, stating unequivocally that “the main campaign story, characters, and dialogue are written by a team of human writers.” This distinction appears aimed at addressing concerns that the game’s primary storytelling would be entirely machine-generated.
Former Writer’s Allegations Spark Industry Debate
Stella Sacco’s public statements have added fuel to ongoing debates within the video game industry about the appropriate use of AI tools and the potential displacement of creative workers. In her communications with PC Gamer, Sacco provided additional context about her departure from the project, stating that the decision to use ChatGPT for remaining text and planned live updates came directly from company leadership. She noted that if development plans changed after her departure, she would welcome that news, but maintained her account of events as she experienced them.
The former lead writer also suggested that the decision to implement AI was partly motivated by publicity considerations, claiming that CEO Matthew Karch viewed the use of ChatGPT as a potential marketing opportunity for the title. This allegation touches on a controversial strategy some companies have employed, using AI implementation as a talking point despite the significant backlash such approaches often generate from gaming communities.
CEO Response Generates Additional Controversy
Matthew Karch’s response to Sacco’s allegations, shared through the publication This Week in Videogames, has itself become a source of controversy. The CEO’s statement opened with a dismissive tone, claiming he needed to consult the AI assistant Claude because he had “never spoken to her or seen her.” Karch then pivoted to accusing Sacco of violating her confidentiality agreement by disclosing information about AI usage before the company was prepared to make such announcements publicly.
Regarding the game’s narrative authorship, Karch offered a somewhat indirect confirmation that human writers remain involved, stating that “the entire story script, were it to win an award, would go to someone who can walk up on stage and receive it.” He also defended the company’s AI strategy by suggesting that for a “lower-priced title” like Rideshare Simulator, AI implementation would ultimately benefit consumers. This framing positions AI usage as a cost-saving measure that enables more affordable gaming experiences, though critics argue it comes at the expense of professional writers and other creative workers.
Gaming Community Expresses Significant Backlash
Despite Karch’s assertion that AI usage would be viewed positively by consumers, early reactions from the gaming community suggest otherwise. The Steam discussions page for Rideshare Simulator has reportedly filled with comments criticizing Saber Interactive’s approach to AI implementation. This negative reception reflects broader trends within gaming communities, where AI-generated content has frequently met with skepticism and outright rejection from players who value human creativity and craftsmanship.
The backlash against AI in video games has intensified throughout 2024 and into 2025, with numerous high-profile examples of games facing criticism for AI-generated artwork, voice acting, or written content. Many players express concerns about the technology’s impact on employment for voice actors, artists, writers, and other creative professionals who have traditionally contributed to game development. Additionally, questions about the quality and authenticity of AI-generated content compared to human-created work remain central to these debates.
Rideshare Simulator positions players as drivers navigating an open-ended experience where they can interact with a seemingly unlimited roster of passengers while transporting them to various destinations. The game is planned for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S platforms, though no specific launch date has been announced. How the ongoing controversy affects the game’s reception and commercial performance remains to be seen, but the situation has already contributed to important conversations about transparency, worker treatment, and the ethical implementation of AI tools in creative industries.
Expert Opinion: This incident represents a critical inflection point for the gaming industry’s relationship with AI technology. Companies that choose to implement AI tools will likely face increasing pressure to provide upfront transparency about their usage, and the dismissive treatment of creative workers like Sacco may prove costly in terms of public relations and consumer trust. Moving forward, we can expect to see more standardized disclosure requirements on platforms like Steam, as both players and industry professionals demand clearer guidelines about AI-generated content in gaming products.
