Valve will allow the sale of games that use AI technology on Steam in most cases. The company does want developers to indicate that AI has been applied, so that users can gain insight into this. Previously, such games were banned from the platform.
The Steam operator explains in a blog post from having held discussions with developers in recent months and having come to the conclusion that ‘most games that use AI technology should be able to be released’. Valve wants to mention on the product page of a game in question how a developer has applied AI.
The gaming platform has some new requirements and systems regarding AI generation for games. For example, when submitting a game release request, developers must indicate whether AI has been used. If that is the case, then there are at least some general rules that are also stated in the Steam Distribution Agreement. For example, content must never infringe protected material and games must match the marketing material provided regardless of the technology used.
Developers can choose from two broad categories when providing information about AI used: Pre-Generated and Live-Generated. In the first case, for example, assets or sounds have been generated with artificial intelligence. Valve says these game components are being monitored as always. In the second case, AI is used live. In such a situation, the developer must clarify how measures have been taken to prevent illegal content from being generated.
The only exception that Valve makes in advance to the new AI policy is sexual content. ‘Adult-only sexual content’ may not use artificial intelligence generation. The company does not explain why such games are banned. Finally, Steam is getting a new reporting system where users can report a game via the usual Steam overlay if illegal, live-generated content appears within the game.