Valve Corporation has updated its policy on Steam regarding the use of AI powered efficiency tools by game developers.
Gamediscoverco on Blue Sky has shared that Valve has updated how Steam handles developer disclosures regarding the use of AI. Instead of expanding its restrictions on AI usage, the platform has Instead narrowed and refined its focus, separating AI-based efficiency tools used during development from AI-generated content that ships with a game.
As shown in the updated disclosure forms, Steam now makes it clear that the purpose of the AI section is not to police internal development workflows. The form states that “efficiency gains through the use of [AI powered tools] is not the focus of this section.” Tools such as AI-assisted coding helpers, debugging aids, animation cleanup tools, or productivity-enhancing software used behind the scenes no longer fall into a grey area. Developers do not need to disclose these tools as long as they do not directly generate content consumed by players.
Instead, developers are asked whether generative AI is used to create content that ships with the game, including artwork, sound, narrative text, localization, store page materials, or community assets. If the answer is yes, developers must provide a clear explanation to players that will be displayed publicly on the store page under the “About This Game” section.
Another key clarification involves when AI-generated content is created. The updated form draws a strong line between pre-rendered or pre-generated AI content and live-generated AI content during gameplay. For the latter, Valve places responsibility squarely on developers to implement guardrails that prevent illegal, infringing, or inappropriate material from reaching players. Failure to do so can result in the game being pulled from Steam.
In related news, Steam recently reached a major platform milestone, recording an all-time peak of more than 42 million concurrent users. Read about it here.
