Steam has introduced revised guidelines for titles incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology after months of research and consultations with game developers. With this step, Steam is set to make it easier for AI-infused games to hit the platform.
The first major change comes as an update to the Content Survey that developers complete during submission. This survey now boasts a dedicated section focusing on AI disclosure. Developers are required to outline how AI is employed in both the development and execution phases of their games. The AI usage is categorised into two main types: Pre-Generated and Live-Generated.
Under the Pre-Generated category, developers must clarify any content created with AI tools during development. Steam will assess this content during pre-release reviews, ensuring it complies with the Steam Distribution Agreement, which prohibits illegal or infringing content.
For Live-Generated content, in addition to adhering to the rules of Pre-Generated AI, developers must disclose the safeguards to prevent the generation of illegal content. This added layer of transparency aims to assure Valve and players that AI-driven content is within ethical boundaries.
“Today’s changes are the result of us improving our understanding of the landscape and risks in this space, as well as talking to game developers using AI, and those building AI tools. This will allow us to be much more open to releasing games using AI technology on Steam,” said Steam.
Valve plans to use the disclosed information during the pre-release review process, and a substantial part of the disclosure will be visible on the Steam store page. This way, potential buyers can easily understand how AI is integrated into a game.
In another move, Steam is launching a reporting system for players encountering illegal content within games featuring Live-Generated AI. Through the in-game overlay, players can swiftly submit reports, highlighting content they believe should have been caught by AI guardrails.
While these changes mark a significant stride in Steam’s efforts to embrace AI-powered games, one exception is Adult Only Sexual Content generated through Live-Generated AI. Steam cannot greenlight this type of content, underscoring the platform’s commitment to responsible AI use.
“It’s taken us some time to figure this out, and we’re sorry that has made it harder for some developers to make decisions around their games. But we don’t feel like we serve our players or developer partners by rushing into decisions that have this much complexity. 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,” said Steam.
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