Steam Next Fest, a recurring event on PC's largest digital storefront, is currently showcasing a vast array of game demos. A notable trend among these upcoming titles is the widespread disclosure of generative artificial intelligence's use in their development, with over 1,700 games featuring such acknowledgments.
Data from SteamDB, a statistics tracking database, reveals that out of approximately 8,700 games participating in the current Steam Next Fest, 1,704 have adopted the generative AI tag. This figure represents roughly 20 percent of all games featured in the event.
Valve, the operator of the Steam storefront, has maintained a consistent policy requiring developers to declare their use of generative AI. While the policy has seen minor adjustments to permit undeclared AI for "efficiency gains," the company maintains that the technology's application must be disclosed to players. This mandatory declaration has, in some instances, led to public clarifications from developers. Sega, for example, recently adjusted its statements regarding the use of generative AI in the new Crazy Taxi game, initially stating it was used for background assets before later clarifying it served only as a reference during development.
The integration of generative AI in game development remains a point of contention among players. The technology has been cited as a factor contributing to the current price increases and supply shortages of components essential for gaming hardware. Despite these concerns, major releases and development studios continue to embrace AI, with titles like Crimson Desert and Embark Studios, the developer of Arc Raiders, publicly supporting its use.