The controversy surrounding AI-generated content for video games has now reached the largest digital distribution platform on PC, Steam. An anonymous developer recently posted on Reddit, claiming that Valve, the company behind Steam, is no longer willing to publish games with AI-generated content due to copyright concerns.
Valve Rejected a Game for AI-Generated Assets
The developer shared their experience of having their game rejected because it contained assets that were obviously AI-generated. Valve responded to the claims, stating that they take copyright concerns seriously and cannot publish games for which the developer does not have all the necessary rights. They specifically mentioned that the use of AI-generated art assets raises legal issues regarding ownership and copyright. The developer attempted to address these concerns by manually improving the AI-generated assets, but their game was still rejected upon resubmission.
The company acknowledged that its approach to AI-generated games is not yet standardized. They mentioned that some games mentioning the use of AI are still available on the platform. However, Valve stated that their review process is based on current copyright laws and policies, and it is the developer’s responsibility to ensure they have the appropriate rights to ship their game. They emphasized their willingness to integrate AI into their review policies as the technology evolves.
Valve Cited AI-Related Copyright Issues
The legality surrounding AI models trained on copyrighted material remains unclear, and companies are often reluctant to disclose the specifics of their datasets. The use of AI to generate content raises concerns among artists whose work may be incorporated without permission. Getty’s lawsuit against Stability AI, which allegedly used millions of images without permission or compensation, may serve as a test case in setting legal precedents.
Valve, as a massive distribution platform, faces significant potential liabilities if they mishandle AI-generated content. While there are games on Steam currently utilizing AI, it is possible that these are early exceptions, and as the technology becomes more widespread, it will encounter greater scrutiny and obstacles.