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Steam lightens its restrictions on games using AI content

The new policies will require checks that AI content is not being used illegally in games and include a report system for games that somehow get by checks.

TJ Denzer

January 10, 2024 11:45 AM

Image via Steam

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Last year, as artificial intelligence picked up hype as the hottest new tech trend, Valve got ahead of the situation by banning games with AI-generated content from being submitted on Steam. After some alleged research, Valve has softened its stance and will now allow games with AI content under new policies and is introducing a reporting system that can be used in Steam games to report those that break its guidelines.

Valve announced its new policies and report system via a Steamworks post this week. According to the announcement, games with AI content may now be submitted to Steam, but with strict conditions. Valve has created a new content survey that includes guidelines regarding two major forms of AI content in games.

The guidelines in Steam’s new content survey can be found below:

That’s not all. In order to police developers that might try to skirt the guidelines and utilize AI content in a way that circumvents Steam’s checks, a new reporting system will be introduced. It can be used in any game launched from Steam and will allow players to issue a report if they believe a game is using AI content not in adherence to Valve’s new rules.

Valve previously put a hard ban on AI, but it seems the company now feels informed enough to soften its policies. With these new rules and the report system coming into play, stay tuned as we watch for further updates and details on this story, as well as our other AI coverage.

TJ Denzer

Senior News Editor

TJ Denzer is a player and writer with a passion for games that has dominated a lifetime. He found his way to the Shacknews roster in late 2019 and has worked his way to Senior News Editor since. Between news coverage, he also aides notably in livestream projects like the indie game-focused Indie-licious, the Shacknews Stimulus Games, and the Shacknews Dump. You can reach him at tj.denzer@shacknews.com and also find him on Twitter @JohnnyChugs.