Steam Users Demand Better AI Disclosures for Next Fest Demos

Steam Next Fest has long been a reliable destination for discovering indie gems, but the latest event has left many players frustrated. With 8,600 demos available this week, nearly 1,700 of them—roughly one in five—now disclose the use of AI. For many, this has turned a celebration of independent development into a tedious search for games that don't rely on AI-generated assets.

While developers are currently required to provide an AI disclosure, it is often relegated to a small footnote at the bottom of a store page. This placement makes it difficult for users to quickly identify or avoid these titles while browsing the event. The current system requires potential players to meticulously check each individual page to confirm whether a project uses the technology.

Calls for Greater Transparency

The sentiment among the community is increasingly negative. Twitch streamer Jeff Fabre recently voiced his frustration on X, noting that finding the disclosure information is unnecessarily difficult. Fabre suggested that the disclosure should be moved to the right-hand side of the store page, specifically alongside keywords and tags, where it would be visible in the preview before a user even clicks on a game.

Beyond moving the existing disclaimer, players are pushing for more aggressive solutions to combat what some describe as a wave of "AI slop" on the platform. Suggested improvements include:

• Visual Indicators: Implementing a clear, prominent sticker on a game's cover art to denote AI usage.
• Filtering Controls: Allowing users to hide games that use AI, similar to the existing filters for adult content.
• Manual Hide Buttons: Providing players the ability to manually remove specific titles from their view during the browsing process.

The Ongoing Challenge of Storefront Curation

The push for these tools comes as Steam continues to grapple with issues regarding shovelware, scams, and low-quality releases. Because there is significant variation in how AI is utilized—ranging from generating code or art to replacing voice actors—players are arguing for more granular control. For example, some developers may use AI in early development but remove it later, as seen in projects like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, while others rely on it for budget-saving measures, such as the approach taken by Embark Studios for Arc Raiders.

Without improved visibility or search filters, the sheer volume of AI-integrated demos is making it increasingly difficult for users to navigate the Steam Next Fest effectively. As of now, Valve has not implemented the requested changes, leaving the burden of vetting entirely on the player.