- 20% of new releases on Steam implement generative AI at some stage of their development.
- The main use of AI is the creation of visual resources, followed by audio and text generation.
- Valve requires developers to declare their use of AI when publishing their games on the platform.
- The impact of AI is especially noticeable in independent studios, although many large studios are also exploring its integration.
Generative artificial intelligence has gone from being a futuristic promise to becoming an everyday reality in video game development on Steam. In recent months, The presence of generative AI on the well-known digital distribution platform has experienced a notable boomThis breakthrough comes as the video game industry debates the balance between technological innovation, ethics, and the essential role of human creators.
About 20% of newly published titles Steam openly acknowledges using generative AI in one or more aspects of its production. That is, currently 1 in 5 new games on Steam incorporates this technology, whether to optimize tasks, accelerate creative processes, or introduce innovative mechanics. This trend marks a drastic change compared to previous years, when the use of AI in video games was anecdotal or experimental.
Where is generative AI used in Steam games?
The applications of artificial intelligence within Steam are varied, although the generation of visual resources —such as 2D and 3D models, backgrounds, textures, and characters— It is the most frequent use, according to the latest industry reports. Around 60% of developers who have admitted to using AI have done so primarily to create these graphic elements. Additionally, audio generation—whether music, effects, or voices—and writing text for dialogue or narrative are other popular areas.
However, the influence of AI goes beyond artistic resources. Some studios are exploring AI-driven game mechanics, creating titles capable of adapting worlds, stories, and characters in real time based on the player's decisions. Examples such as AI Roguelite o Never Ending Dungeon put the user at the center of unique adventures, generated on the fly using language models. Other titles, such as Comedy Night, have integrated AI to moderate inappropriate behavior in the online community.
Unprecedented accelerated growth
In just one year, the number of games on Steam that acknowledge the use of AI has grown dramatically. Recent data points to Approximately 7.800 titles that have declared using generative tools, which represents around 7% of the platform's total catalog. The jump is even more striking when compared to the mere 1.000 titles that acknowledged the use of AI by 2024, which This implies a growth of almost 700%.
This rapid progress is explained, in part, by the new policy of Valve, which asks developers transparently indicate if their games contain any form of AI-generated contentAlthough not all studios are required to do so, the trend is toward greater visibility and honesty in the use of these technologies, allowing users to make informed decisions about what types of experiences they want to support or avoid.
The role of independent studios and public reaction
The adoption of generative artificial intelligence is evident not only in big-budget projects, but especially in the independent sector. Many small studies, with limited resources, They have found in AI a way to speed up creative processes, reduce costs and experiment with new ideas. In case of My summer car, one of the best-selling titles that makes limited but explicit use of AI (in this case, to generate interior paintings), demonstrates that the public can accept these tools as long as they are used transparently and do not compromise the overall quality of the product.
However, The foray of AI into the sector has also sparked heated debates in the gaming community. and within the creative teams themselves. There are concerns about potential job losses, the originality of content, and the ethics of automatically generating art or narrative. In response, it's becoming increasingly common for Developers should clarify in their descriptions that all AI-generated content It has been reviewed and edited by human professionals, thus attempting to mitigate the rejection of the most critical and comply with the transparency standards required by Steam.
Challenges and limits for the near future
Despite the speed with which generative AI is establishing itself in video game development, The actual number of games using these technologies could be even higher than officially stated., as Steam's policy relies on voluntary self-disclosure by studios. Furthermore, the difficulty in establishing a clear line between casual use and total reliance on AI raises new questions for both designers and consumers.
Artificial intelligence has gone from being a auxiliary tool to become a key element in many of the new games coming to SteamIts impact will continue to grow as studios of all sizes explore its possibilities. It's essential to maintain transparency, ensure human oversight, and continue to open the debate about how far it's appropriate—and ethically acceptable—to leave creativity in digital entertainment to AI.
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