We're only a few weeks away from 2026, and already the use of generative artificial intelligence for game development is becoming a frequently discussed topic. According to a LinkedIn post from Simon Carless, founder of GameDiscoverCo., there has been a change in language about the types of generative AI usage that developers must disclose in order to upload their games to Steam.
Interestingly, Steam has rewritten, but not removed, the 'Does your game contain AI?' Development Disclosure Form. Valve further clarified that there is no need to cite ‘AI-based tools’ (e.g. code assistants). [AI powered dev tools] It's not the focus of this section.” — GameDiscoverCo (@gamediscoverco.bsky.social) 2026-01-16T15:05:38.619Z
Before uploading a game to Steam, developers must first disclose whether Gen AI was used during game development. If so, you'll see the tag “Made with AI” in your Steam listing.
With the new language, developers will no longer have to disclose if they used AI-enabled tools that speed up game development (for example, if AI was used to assist with coding or other similar tasks).
However, if gen AI is used to generate game assets entirely, or if the game itself uses generative AI to generate game assets, it must still be disclosed. Additionally, developers must disclose whether generative AI is used in marketing assets.
The change comes a little more than a week after Larian Studios revealed its use of generative AI in early development.
In a recent Reddit AMA, Larian Studio CEO Swen Vincke said that Larian would “refrain” from using generative AI tools after backlash after revealing that Larian had previously used generative AI to create concept art before iterating and reproducing the designs by human artists.
Divinity, Baldur's Gate 3 developer hit by backlash over use of GenAI [UPDATE]
Larian CEO Swen Vincke talks about using generative AI in the development of games like the upcoming Divinity.
There are some interesting differences that Valve has made with these changes. This is a sign that it's okay to use AI-based tools in the name of “improving efficiency,” a topic that will be talked about often this year.
