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With only a few weeks left until 2026, the use of generative artificial intelligence for game development is already shaping up to be a hotly debated topic.
According to a LinkedIn post by Simon Carless, founder of GameDiscoverCo., the language around the type of generative use of AI that developers are required to disclose in order to upload their games to Steam has been changed.
Interestingly, Steam has just rewritten – but NOT removed – its 'does your game have AI?' dev notification form. Valve makes it clear that “artificial intelligence-powered tools” (like code assistants) don’t need to quote – “Improve efficiency by using [AI powered dev tools] 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 must first disclose whether an AI gene was used in the development of the game. If that were the case, the Steam listing would be labeled “Made with AI”.
In the new language, if developers have used AI-powered tools to speed up game development — presumably, for example, if AI was used to help with coding or other similar tasks — they no longer have to disclose it.
However, if the AI gene was used to create the game assets as a whole, or if the game itself uses generative AI to create the game assets, this must still be disclosed. Developers will also have to disclose whether generative AI has been used for any marketing asset.
The change comes just 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 the early stages of the game's development. In a recent Reddit AMA, Larian Studio CEO Swen Vincke said the studio would “refrain” from using generative AI tools following the backlash.
Divinity, Baldur's Gate 3 Dev Hit with resistance through GenAI use [UPDATE]
Larian CEO Swen Vincke comments on the use of generative artificial intelligence in game development like the upcoming Divinity.
It's an interesting distinction that Valve is making with this change. It signals that using AI-powered tools is okay if it's in the name of “increasing efficiency,” a topic that will no doubt be mentioned a lot this year.
