Indie-focused digital storefront Itch.io has announced a significant purge of artificial intelligence-generated content, removing "a couple terabytes of AI slop" and implementing new tools for users to filter out such material. This move comes amid a noticeable increase in game pages on the platform, which Itch.io noted has doubled in the last two months, while downloads and purchases have not seen a corresponding rise.
In response to a user query on social media, Itch.io suggested that the surge in new game pages was largely due to AI generation, a sentiment echoed by Valve's recent acknowledgment of a similar issue with AI "slop and game cloning" on Steam.
Itch.io's quality guidelines now explicitly address the mass production of content using automated systems or AI, deeming it spam and potentially grounds for removal from browse and search pages. The guidelines specifically target games and projects predominantly created by algorithms or AI with minimal human intervention, randomly generated content lacking curated design, and multiple iterations of similar AI-generated content.
Expanded AI Disclosure Requirements
The platform has also broadened its disclosure requirements for generative AI. Previously focused on game assets, these requirements now extend to tabletop games, books, comics, and soundtracks. Developers and publishers must now disclose the use of generative AI across these categories, in addition to the existing requirement for game assets.
To aid users in navigating the storefront, Itch.io has introduced new browsing and search filters that allow individuals to exclude content created with generative AI. The platform also features a dedicated "No AI" tag page, highlighting games that have been developed without the use of such tools.
While Itch.io's actions represent a small fraction of the broader digital game market, they signal a proactive approach to curating content and addressing concerns about the proliferation of AI-generated material. The move aims to mitigate the current negative impact of AI-generated content on users, developers, and the industry at large, making it easier for players to find and engage with human-created works.