Valve Steam AI policy changed. In response to the ongoing debate surrounding AI technology, Valve is releasing new guidelines for the management of AI content on Steam.
Valve, the company behind the popular Steam gaming platform, has been at the forefront of this change and recently announced new rules for how AI content will be handled on Steam. Here’s everything you need to know.
Valve Steam AI Policy: What’s changed?
Valve is looking to improve content curation by introducing an “AI disclosure section” to the platform. Game developers must now detail how their game uses AI content, distinguishing between pre-rendered and live-generated AI. The latter must include security measures to prevent the creation of illegal content.
Valve emphasizes that a significant portion of this disclosure will be visible on the Steam store page, ensuring that customers clearly understand how AI is used in games they are considering purchasing. A new reporting system is also in the works that will allow players to flag illegal content in games with live-generated AI.
The rise of generative AI has sparked debate about its ethical implications in the games industry. From concerns raised by video game voice actors to the use of generative AI in economically driven games, these debates are shaping the evolving AI landscape in games.
In 2023, Valve acknowledged its learning journey with AI, stating that it was still exploring its potential in game development. Today, the company apologizes for the time it has taken to create new policies, highlighting the complexity of the decisions made. Valve commits to being more open to publishing games on Steam that use AI technology, with the exception of adult sexual content created with live-generated AI.
In response to a developer’s statement that Steam would not accept AI-based games, Valve clarified its ongoing efforts to integrate AI into its existing review policies. Valve’s latest announcement is a milestone in this process and reflects months of learning and working with game developers.
Two major changes
Valve has made two major changes to accommodate AI games on Steam. The Content Questionnaire, which developers fill out when submitting their game, now includes a section for developers to describe their use of AI and whether it is pre-rendered or live-generated. The second change is a new reporting system that allows players to flag illegal content in games with live AI.
A new era for AI games on Steam
With these changes, Steam is poised to become home to countless AI-powered games. As the gaming community eagerly awaits the impact of these changes, Valve’s commitment to adapting to evolving legal frameworks and user needs is evident. While there are restrictions on “adult sexual content” created with live-generated AI, Valve’s proactive approach ensures that AI is integrated into the gaming ecosystem in a responsible way.
Featured image credit: Steam
