Steam Users Push for AI-Generated Game Filter as SteamDB Introduces Workaround

Valve pressed to add new Steam filter for games made with AI

TL;DR: Gamers are urging Valve to add a filter on Steam to exclude AI-generated games, citing concerns over the legality of AI training data. A popular forum thread supports this, using Steam points to highlight the issue. Valve has started identifying AI content in-game listings but hasn't officially responded to the filter yet. With the rise of artificial intelligence-generated content, gamers are calling for Valve to implement a new filter into Steam so they are able to filter out generative AI games. A recent Steam forum suggestion thread has gained quite a bit of traction, suggesting Valve implement a new filter into the Steam store that filters out games that feature AI-generated content. Steam users have managed to keep the threat at the top of the page by using their Steam points to give it awards in hopes that Valve sees the thread and the support for the filter to be added. The filter wouldn't be unlike other filters Valve has added in the past, such as the option to hide NSFW games. Many of the Steam users who are in favor of the new filter have taken issue with the AI models used to generate content and have likely acquired their training data illegally, which means other people who haven't consented to their data being taken. Valve has yet to respond to the popularity of the suggestion, but the company has already begun identifying games that contain AI-generated content on the Steam store listing for the game, which has set the precedent for other gaming storefronts to follow suit.

SteamDB Will Help You Filter Out Steam's AI Games

SteamDB has added a new filter that lets users hide games made with generative AI. This new feature comes from Steam's rule, established in the past year, which requires developers to reveal if they have used generative AI in their games. Steam's rule basically tells developers that if they use generative AI, they must disclose it on their store page. The information given helps potential buyers make smart choices about their purchases based on their views on AI-generated content. However, Steam doesn't have a built-in filter for AI-created games, so SteamDB has added one to fill this gap. This new filter uses an "AI Content Disclosed" tag and highlights over 4,900 games on Steam that have said they use generative AI. This tag lets users easily choose to see or ignore these games in their search results. Just because a game doesn't have an AI content label doesn't mean it doesn't use AI; developers must inform Steam if they do, and failing to do so breaks Steam's rules. SteamDB users can easily apply the filter by appending "&tagid=-1368160" to the end of their URL. Users can also use the "Filter by user tags" option on SteamDB to find this filter. This filter works well but is not perfect. In fact, I caught it showing me generative AI content even after the filter was applied, despite it being clearly listed on the Steam page. Notably, Call of Duty is not filtered out for its generative AI use, even though the store page explains, "Our team uses generative AI tools to help develop some in game assets." Call of Duty is a series that uses generative AI, and Activision admitted to using it after being caught through their six-fingered Santa loading screen. Wired reported that AI was being used in MW3 as well and that artists were forced to use AI. So, if SteamDB can't catch a series that is well-known for using AI, even when it admits to it on its Steam page, the filter isn't as good as we'd hope. However, it's still a great way to filter out most games that use AI, and at the end of the day, this isn't something SteamDB should have to do. The creation of this filter shows that people want more transparency about how generative AI is being used in game development. So, there should be an official filter on Steam. Steam has required transparency but hasn't given an easy way to avoid these games. It is so well-known that AI is a deterrent that some independent developers are adding "no generative AI" labels to their store pages. However, this is a big split down the middle since there are both indie developers and big studios on either side. While it seems like a one-sided fight against AI, it's hard to put down a good game, regardless of how it was made. Activision openly using AI shows that public opinion isn't a deterrent against AI, and the Call of Duty series' continued profits prove it. Knowing a game uses AI in its creation isn't enough for players, and businesses using a shortcut hasn't stopped their customers as long as the product is still good. A good example is motion capture, which Pixar was vehemently against and now calls animation without motion capture "genuine animation." Despite being against the use of motion capture, one of the founders of Pixar, Ed Catmull, invented Tweening, which fills in frames for animators. Isn't that a shortcut too? It's an argument about whether the new technology (at this point AI) is the future or whether it is really detrimental to the industry. SteamDB is at least on a track that gives buyers a choice of what to consume. However, double-checking the store page is a good idea to ensure the filter doesn't mess up. Source: SteamDB