After months of review, Valve is going back on its AI policy, which previously said no to AI games on its Steam storefront, opening the doors to an onslaught of AI-created games.

As announced on Steam, Valve has issued a policy update, outlining the steps they’ve taken to come to this decision.

“Today, after spending the last few months learning more about this space and talking with game developers, we are making changes to how we handle games that use AI technology. This will enable us to release the vast majority of games that use it.

First, we are updating the Content Survey that developers fill out when submitting to Steam. The survey now includes a new AI disclosure section, where you’ll need to describe how you are using AI in the development and execution of your game. It separates AI usage in games into two broad categories:

• Pre-Generated: Any kind of content (art/code/sound/etc) created with the help of AI tools during development. Under the Steam Distribution Agreement, you promise Valve that your game will not include illegal or infringing content, and that your game will be consistent with your marketing materials. In our pre-release review, we will evaluate the output of AI generated content in your game the same way we evaluate all non-AI content – including a check that your game meets those promises.
• Live-Generated: Any kind of content created with the help of AI tools while the game is running. In addition to following the same rules as Pre-Generated AI content, this comes with an additional requirement: in the Content Survey, you’ll need to tell us what kind of guardrails you’re putting on your AI to ensure it’s not generating illegal content.”

AI-generated content has been a hot debate since its blow-up in the last few years. One of the biggest concerns around it is how much of it actually uses data stolen from real work, not to mention the number of jobs it may replace, with quality also taking a hit.

Steam says they’ll have some systems in place for users to report AI-created games that may contain illegal, and we assume, also stolen content.

“Today’s changes are the result of us improving our understanding of the landscape and risks in this space, as well as talking to game developers using AI, and those building AI tools. This will allow us to be much more open to releasing games using AI technology on Steam. The only exception to this will be Adult Only Sexual Content that is created with Live-Generated AI – we are unable to release that type of content right now.

It’s taken us some time to figure this out, and we’re sorry that has made it harder for some developers to make decisions around their games. But we don’t feel like we serve our players or developer partners by rushing into decisions that have this much complexity. We’ll continue to learn from the games being submitted to Steam, and the legal progress around AI, and will revisit this decision when necessary.”

Many are already criticizing the announcement, as while AI has some benefits as discussed in our AI piece, in practice, there are more significant consequences that many are now feeling.

Source: Steam