Steam updates its gen-AI disclosure policies

Back when we first started to see evidence of generative AI being used in the development of video games, Valve was pretty quick on the draw to set up parameters on their Steam store requiring developers to disclose their use of gen-AI. As the discussion surrounding the controversial technology continues to evolve, Valve have now updated their policy with a greater level of transparency.

As reported by the agency ‘GameDiscoverCo’ via BlueSky, Valve recently updated their AI dev disclosure form to allow studios to differentiate between the varying uses and implementations of gen-AI.

Now, instead of a blanket “does this game use AI?” there are three different levels of usage which developers can disclose – with the questions now being as follows:

• “Does this game use generative artificial intelligence to generate content for the game, either pre-rendered or live-generated? This includes the game itself, the storepage, and any Steam community assets or marketing materials.”
• “Do you use Al to generate pre-rendered content for your game, its store page, marketing materials, and/or community assets?”
• “Do you use AI to live-generate content or code during gameplay?”

With these three different parameters in place, developers now only need to disclose the use of AI publicly if it “ships with your game, and is consumed by players” – meaning the use of the technology during coding for example does not need to be elaborated on.

As gen-AI continues to change and evolve, it is likely that Valve could go back and revisit these rules once again. Regardless, it is good to have any form of AI disclosure in this day and age. Hopefully more storefronts follow suit.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of these updated parameters? Is it more fair to developers in this way? What’s your stance on gen-AI? Let us know down below.

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