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We’re only a few weeks into 2026 and already the use of generative Artifical Intelligence for game development is shaping up to be a frequently discussed topic.
According to a LinkedIn post from Simon Carless, founder of GameDiscoverCo., the language around the type of generative-AI use developers are required to disclose in order to upload their games to Steam has been altered.
Interestingly, Steam just rewrote – but did NOT remove – its ‘does your game have AI in it?’ dev disclosure form. Valve’s making it clearer the ‘AI powered tools’ (like code helpers) don’t need citing – “Efficiency gains through the use of [AI powered dev tools] is not the focus of this section.”
— GameDiscoverCo (@gamediscoverco.bsky.social) 2026-01-16T15:05:38.619Z
Before a game can be uploaded to Steam, the developer is first required to disclose whether gen AI was used during the game’s development. If it was, the Steam listing would get a tag that reads, “Made with AI.”
Under the new language, if developers used AI-assisted tools that speed up game development – presumably, for example, if AI was used to aid with coding or other similar tasks – they no longer need to disclose it.
However, if gen AI was used to make game assets in their entirety, or if the game itself is using generative AI to create game assets, that must still be disclosed. Developers will also need to disclose if generative AI was used for any marketing assets.
This change comes just slightly over a week after Larian Studios — developer of Baldur’s Gate 3 and the upcoming Divinity — drew flak for revealing the use of generative AI in early game development stages. In a recent Reddit AMA, Larian Studio’s CEO Swen Vincke stated that the studio would “refrain” from using generative AI tools following the backlash.
Divinity, Baldur’s Gate 3 Dev Hit with Backlash Over GenAI Use [UPDATE]
Larian CEO Swen Vincke comments on using generative AI in game development like in the upcoming Divinity.
It’s an interesting distinction Valve is making with this change. It signals that the use of AI-powered tools is okay so long as it’s in the name of “efficiency gains,” a topic that will no doubt be brought up frequently this year.