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
