Saber Interactive CEO Matt Karch has issued an apology to Stella Sacco, the former lead writer for the upcoming game Rideshare "Simulator," after a public dispute regarding her dismissal and the use of artificial intelligence in the game's development. The apology, delivered via a long email, addresses Karch's earlier statements about Sacco.
Sacco revealed the apology on social media, stating that Karch apologized "unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press." She noted that the full text of the email would remain private but confirmed that Karch expressed a desire to "make it right." Sacco stated she accepts his apology and will take time to consider what that might entail.
The controversy began after the announcement trailer for Rideshare "Simulator." Sacco posted that she was replaced by ChatGPT and that this was not disclosed on the game's Steam page. Saber Interactive initially issued a denial, followed by a public statement from Karch himself that was perceived by some as dismissive. In his statement, Karch questioned Sacco's identity and suggested they intended to add an AI disclaimer to the Steam page later.
Saber Interactive later updated the Steam page to include a disclaimer, confirming that AI had been used for voiceovers, music, and non-campaign mission dialogue. Karch's public statements and the subsequent clarification, along with Sacco's insistence on the truth of her account, led to significant backlash, with Karch's actions overshadowing the game itself. The CEO's apology appears to be an effort to resolve the situation.