What Valve’s Policy Means for Developers

Artificial Intelligence has quickly become one of the most transformative tools in game development — from generating concept art and voice lines to powering dynamic NPC behavior and procedural storytelling. But until recently, developers using AI tools have faced uncertainty about how platforms like Steam would handle AI-assisted or AI-driven games.

On October 29, 2024, Valve published an official update on the Steamworks blog clarifying its position on AI-generated content in games. This marks a major shift, signaling that Steam is ready to welcome most AI-powered games — with new transparency and guardrails in place.

Steam’s New AI Disclosure Requirements

Valve’s updated Content Survey now asks developers to specify how AI is used in their game, dividing AI use into two key categories:

• Pre-Generated Content:
  AI-generated assets (like art, sound, or code) created during development. These are reviewed just like traditional content — developers must ensure their work doesn’t contain copyrighted or illegal material.

• Live-Generated Content:
  AI systems that generate content while the game is running (for example, an AI storyteller or character dialogue generator). For these, developers must explain what safeguards are in place to prevent illegal or inappropriate content from being created on the fly.

This change means AI-assisted games can now pass review and reach Steam players, provided developers disclose their use of AI and demonstrate responsible implementation.

Player Reporting and Transparency

Alongside the policy update, Steam introduced a new reporting system for Live-Generated AI games. Players can now flag problematic AI-generated content directly from the in-game overlay, helping Valve identify and address issues more efficiently.

In addition, Steam store pages will display AI usage information so players can see how a game uses AI before purchasing. This move aims to make AI use transparent — empowering players to make informed decisions while protecting developers who use AI responsibly.

What This Means for Game Developers

For indie and small teams, these updates are huge. AI tools have already lowered the barrier to entry in areas like art creation, animation, and procedural writing — and now Valve’s approval means those projects can actually reach the market.

Developers should:

• Clearly document AI’s role in their workflow.
• Ensure any AI-generated content respects copyright and content laws.
• Build safeguards for in-game AI systems to prevent harmful or illegal generation.

The door to AI-powered creativity is wide open — just with more structure and accountability.

The Future of AI on Steam

Valve emphasized that this policy will evolve alongside the technology and the legal landscape. While one exception remains — Adult Only sexual content created by Live-Generated AI is not allowed — almost all other AI-integrated games can now be reviewed and published.

As Valve stated:

“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.”

This moment marks a turning point for the future of AI in gaming. With clear guidelines and a willingness to adapt, Steam is paving the way for the next generation of intelligent, procedurally-driven games.