Steam's Weird Multiplayer Games Won Out Over Generative AI Slop In Next Fest

"As this October's Steam Next Fest wrapped up, two sentiments about the demos on offer stood out - "Wow, there are lots of good games here this time" and "Oh no, there's AI garbage all over the place." After Steam's implementation of generative AI disclosures for games on the platform, it's become clear just how prevalent the controversial technology has become."

"At this year's Next Fest, just over 500 demos included a generative AI disclosure, amounting to 17 percent of the demos at the event, according to a report from TechRaptor. That's an awfully large portion of the Next Fest catalog made with AI, which validates the feeling I and a lot of other people had while looking through the demos this year."

Steam implemented mandatory generative AI disclosures for games on the platform. At the October Next Fest, just over 500 demos—about 17 percent—included a generative AI disclosure. Steam shared the top 50 demos from the event, which showed a mix of titles and clear trends. Only three of the top 50 demos disclosed the use of generative AI, with Cloudheim noted as one example. A large portion of developers used generative AI, but player metrics and observed behavior indicate lower interest in demos that disclose generative AI. Many players appear to check disclosures and avoid demos using generative AI.

Read at Inverse