AI-generated content on Steam: what Valve’s rules mean for your game
Short answer: you can release a game with AI-generated art, sound or code on Steam. You have to say how you used AI, and the content must not be illegal or infringe anyone’s rights.
What changed
For most of 2023, games with AI-generated content were often turned away from Steam because of unclear copyright. In January 2024, Valve announced on the Steamworks blog that it would review and release the vast majority of games that use AI, in exchange for disclosure.
The two kinds of AI content
The Content Survey you fill in when submitting a game asks about AI in two categories:
- Pre-generated content is made with AI during development: art, sprites, sound, voice, writing or code. You confirm it does not include illegal or infringing content, and it is reviewed like any other content in your game.
- Live-generated content is made by AI while the game runs, such as generated dialogue or an AI storyteller. You also describe the guardrails that stop it from producing illegal content.
What players see
Much of your AI disclosure is shown on your store page, so players know how the game uses AI before they buy. For games with live-generated content, players can also report illegal content from the in-game Steam overlay.
The one exception
Adult Only sexual content created with live-generated AI is not allowed on Steam.
What to do as a developer
- Keep a simple record of which assets were made or edited with AI, and with which tool.
- Only use tools whose terms let you use the output commercially. Assets made with Voidless are yours to use in commercial games.
- Don’t prompt for other people’s characters, logos or art styles you don’t have rights to.
- Write the disclosure plainly, for example: “Character sprites and item icons were generated with AI and then edited by us.”
- If your game generates content live, document the filters and limits you put in place.
Valve has said it will revisit the policy as the law around AI develops, so check the Steamworks documentation before you submit.
Common questions
Can I sell a game made with AI art on Steam?
Yes. Since January 2024 Steam reviews and releases games that use AI-generated content, as long as you disclose it in the AI section of the Content Survey and the content is not illegal or infringing.
Do I have to say I used AI?
Yes. The Content Survey asks how AI was used, and much of what you write is shown on your store page so players can see it before they buy.
What is the difference between pre-generated and live-generated AI?
Pre-generated content is made with AI during development, like art, sound or code. Live-generated content is made by AI while the game runs, like generated dialogue; for that you also describe the guardrails that stop it producing illegal content.
Is anything not allowed?
Adult Only sexual content created with live-generated AI is not allowed. Everything else goes through the normal review.
Making the art for a Steam game? Generate sprites, animations and 3D models you can use commercially.
See the pixel art generator