Valve Clarifies AI Disclosure Guidelines on Steam

Valve has updated Steam’s AI disclosure guidelines, clarifying that developers do not need to disclose the use of AI-powered tools that simply assist or speed up the game development process. Instead, disclosures are required only when AI-generated content that ships with the game is consumed by players.

According to the revised guidelines, developers must disclose the use of generative AI if it is used to create content such as artwork, sound, narrative, localization, marketing materials, Steam store assets or content generated during gameplay. Studios are still required to describe this usage in a disclosure section shown on the game’s Steam page. Valve explained that many modern development environments already include AI-assisted tools, and efficiency gains from such tools are not the focus of disclosure rules. The distinction is now clearly drawn between AI-assisted development workflows and AI-generated in-game or player-facing content.

The update comes amid growing debate around AI in game development. While some studios use AI to streamline production, AI-generated assets often face criticism from players. Recent controversies involving Larian Studios and Sandfall Interactive highlight the sensitivity around the issue. Steam has required AI disclosures since 2024, and the new clarification refines not removes that requirement.