Generative AI now powers 20% of new Steam games
Developers are increasingly turning to generative AI in game production, but many Steam users are pushing back.
Nearly 20 percent of video games released on Steam in 2025 include generative AI, according to a new report by Totally Human Media.
The report, based on data gathered from Steam, states that around 7,818 games currently disclose using generative AI. The figure represents roughly 7 percent of the platform’s entire catalogue. For games launched in 2025, nearly one in five incorporate AI tools or openly disclose doing so.
Compared to 2024, this marks a nearly 700 percent increase in generative AI adoption, reflecting a broader industry trend towards automation and machine-generated content.
Among the most prominent titles is My Summer Car, a vehicle simulation game with over 2.5 million copies sold. The developers disclosed that the game includes ‘some AI generated paintings found inside the main house’.
Valve, the company behind Steam, began requiring game developers to disclose AI use in January 2024. While the company did not comment on the findings, the policy has enabled public tracking of AI adoption across the platform.
Community reaction to the trend has been mixed. On Reddit, many users said they would automatically add AI-driven games to their ignore lists. One commenter wrote, ‘We need to tag them so they can be an ignored category.’ Others expressed disappointment in indie developers turning to generative tools over human artists.
Some users acknowledged the complexity of the issue. A typical comment noted that while AI usage in minor elements like UI assets might be acceptable, reliance on AI for core content raises questions about value and originality. One post read, ‘What am I paying for if it’s all AI? I agree with that sentiment.’
Steam’s Next Fest, which showcases upcoming releases, drew criticism from some players who said they lost interest in promising titles upon discovering their use of generative AI.
Despite user backlash, industry momentum continues to build. Many developers see AI as a means to streamline asset creation and reduce production costs, though concerns about quality, ethics, and employment remain central to the debate.
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