Explosion of games with genAI on Steam. This is just the tip of the iceberg

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Around 8,000 games on Steam are supposed to have elements generated by artificial intelligence.

As a fervent supporter of technology advancements, I can’t help but feel the stirrings that creative AI (GenAI) consistently evokes within me. On one hand, visionary publishers and developers are captivated by its potential, viewing it as a game-changer for their industries. However, the gaming community remains hesitant, balking at the thought of even the slightest integration of such algorithms into video games or content produced by gaming companies.

There’s also a palpable anxiety among developers about the prospect of being supplanted by artificial intelligence – a concern that doesn’t seem entirely baseless. After all, we’re witnessing an era where technology is reshaping our worlds, and it’s only natural for us to be cautious yet curious observers in this fascinating dance between man and machine.

Consequently, individuals worldwide are increasingly seeking out the application of generative AI, at times willingly and at times justifiably. On Steam, they need not search extensively to discover games that have been created by artificial intelligence.

GenAI in almost 8,000 games

Last year, Ichiro Lambe from Totally Human Media carried out a study to find out how many games on Steam have implemented generative AI since the debut of the first project in 2022. Surprisingly, it was discovered that approximately 1,000 games do so, accounting for about 1.1% of the total Steam library. Most of these were smaller titles, but notable exceptions included The Finals and Tribes 3: Rivals.

After a year’s time, Lambe revisited the topic. It was discovered that approximately 7,800 games openly utilizing “creative” AI have emerged over the past year. This accounts for around 7% of Steam’s vast catalog, which encompasses over 114,000 different titles. As per Lambe’s observations, nearly one in five games released in the year 2025 incorporate elements generated by artificial intelligence.

Non-equal AI

When discussing creative AI, remember that its output isn’t limited to design elements or code. AI might as well compose captivating descriptions for game promotional materials. Furthermore, developers who utilize AI are quick to clarify that the technology is merely a tool and not a “creator.” Real people continue to be the driving force behind it.

Instead of considering all titles, Lambe focused on those where developers openly disclosed that they utilized generative artificial intelligence. As of early 2024, Valve hasn’t yet made it mandatory for publishers to reveal information about AI use in games on Steam. For example, The Alters employed generative AI for temporary translations, but these translations were removed from the game when an update was released.

Essentially, when the journalist used the phrase “almost 8 thousand“, it refers to the smallest number of games that have been partially developed by artificial intelligence. However, the role of truly “creative” AI in these projects might be quite minimal. Some of the most well-known titles with this claim include My Summer Car, Liar’s Bar, and InZOI.

It’s no wonder that such a swift rise occurred. Prior to the advent of generative AI on Steam, there were numerous low-budget games with generic visuals whose creative merit was often debated. While not every game is heavily reliant on AI, it has undeniably been beneficial for developers who lack creativity in this area.

Moreover, developers needn’t feel embarrassed for utilizing “innovative” AI, as demonstrated by the game “AI Roguelike“. In fact, out of 456 Steam game reviews, a staggering 82% were favorable.

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2025-07-17 14:03