Valve rejects tool restrictions as Steam developers raise cloning concerns

Valve does not want to dictate which development tools game creators can use, even as concerns grow about AI-assisted cloning on Steam. At a Steam Indie Connect panel, Valve representatives Tom Giardino and Marc Wilkinson addressed developers’ concerns about copycat games and the quality of submissions to the storefront.

Developers increasingly report that others are using AI to replicate their games from short demos or promotional materials before the originals launch. Those concerns go beyond the broader debate over whether developers should use AI. Complaints have also focused on low-effort AI-generated or AI-assisted games lowering the overall quality of Steam Next Fest.

Giardino said Valve does not want to act as a gatekeeper over developers’ choice of tools. He encouraged creators to avoid relying on an easily copied mechanic and instead continue building distinctive features, personality and creativity rooted in their own perspective.