Currently, a dispute is escalating between the author Stella Sacco and the development studio Saber Interactive regarding a game on Steam. There are numerous accusations regarding the use of AI and the disregard of a contract clause.
What does the author claim? Already in December 2025, Sacco hinted on Bluesky that she was replaced by ChatGPT in a project from Saber Interactive.
According to her, the development studio recognized that it would be less work for everyone if ChatGPT wrote the story. Furthermore, the responsible parties allegedly claimed that they could promote the use of AI as a selling point since every player loves AI.
It is now known which game she was referring to. In Rideshare Simulator, players have to build their own ride-sharing company while transporting unique passengers. So you basically play as a ride service driver.
Sacco repeated her claim in line with the announcement trailer of the game on Bluesky. She also added that the voices of all passengers would also be AI and that Saber Interactive would not admit this on their Steam page.
Saber Interactive denies allegations
How does the development team respond? In a statement to PCGamer, Saber Interactive denied all allegations. None of the authors should be replaced by AI. The entire story is said to have been written by real people.
However, in one area AI is supposed to have been used:
The game will also include an experimental freeride mode that inevitably involves AI, as the number of passengers in the game is unlimited. We firmly believe that the use of AI tools serves to enhance the gaming experience and optimize the behavior of NPCs – as we have been doing since the founding of Saber in 2001. While the industry continues to shrink, Saber continues to hire new employees. None of our over 3,000 employees need to fear being replaced by AI.
But that’s not all. The CEO Matt Karch of Saber Interactive also made a statement to This Week in Videogames. He stated that he had to first ask the AI Claude who Stella Sacco is, as he had never heard of her.
Furthermore, she supposedly breached a confidentiality agreement by prematurely revealing the planned use of AI. The studio reportedly planned to update the Steam page once the feature was completed.
She was not replaced by ChatGPT, but by someone more talented and was fired for other reasons. Additionally, he added a pointed remark:
As far as I can tell, she enjoys controversy more than I do. In hindsight, I honestly would have liked to replace her with AI. At least we would have been dealing with someone programmed to be honest.
Sacco has already responded to the statement on Bluesky. According to her, awful things have been said about her, and she thinks it should be clear that Karch is reacting so vehemently because he didn’t want people to find out that AI is used in the game.
What do you think of the dispute? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
Saber Interactive is also the developer of Space Marines 2. In a new update, you will have to face a new type of opponents. Moreover, the title gets easier mod access on Steam: In Space Marine 2, you will now face Chaos Wizards from Warhammer 40,000, against whom, according to lore, you would have no chance
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