Saber CEO Matthew Karch apologises to writer he said he’d have “been happy to replace” with AI
Saber Interactive CEO Matthew Karch has apologized privately to Stella Sacco, a writer who was replaced mid-development on the Rideshare Simulator. Karch previously made controversial public statements about the situation, initially claiming he had replaced Sacco with someone more talented, but later stating he would have been “happy to replace her with AI” in retrospect.
Sacco announced the apology via Bluesky, noting that she received “a long email” from Karch overnight in which he “apologised unreservedly for the awful way he spoke about me in the press.” The writer kept the full contents of the email private, indicating a desire to move past the public dispute.
This incident reflects ongoing tensions in the game industry surrounding the use of AI in creative roles. Sacco’s replacement during development sparked controversy when Karch’s comments became public. His decision to apologize suggests recognition of the impact his remarks had on the writer. With Sacco accepting the apology and expressing a desire to move forward, the public dispute appears to be resolving, though the incident highlights broader industry concerns about AI’s role in game development and employment for creative workers.