Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 3 hrs ago
Valve says Steam game reviews may now take up to 12 business days
Valve says Steam game reviews are taking up to 12 business days, compared with the usual three to five.
The delay affects developers seeking approval to sell games on Steam, Valve’s digital game store.
Indie developers say some games have waited weeks for approval, and several have missed planned release dates.
Valve says a significant increase in submissions and repeat reviews are behind the backlog.
It has added checks asking developers to test games through Steam and confirm features and store-page details before submitting.
Developers have speculated that a surge in low-quality games made with AI may be contributing, but Valve has not said that is the cause.
Valve says more improvements to the review process are in the works.
Valve says Steam game reviews are taking up to 12 business days, compared with its usual three to five days.
The company says much of the delay comes from having to review games again.
Indie developers have reported waits of two or three weeks or more, with some games delayed.
Some developers suspect a flood of AI-generated games is contributing to the backlog, but Valve did not say that was the cause.
Valve has issued new checklists asking developers to test their games through Steam and submit complete store materials.
- Who
- Valve and developers seeking approval to release games on Steam.
- What
- Valve says reviews are taking up to 12 business days. Developers have reported longer waits and delays to planned launches.
- When
- Valve described the delays in an update on November 3, 2026; developers reported prolonged waits during October.
- Where
- Steam, Valve’s game storefront.
- Why
- Valve says much of the delay is caused by games needing re-review. Some developers suspect a flood of AI-generated games is contributing, but Valve did not state that as the cause.
Valve
Indie developers
Cause of delays
Valve
Valve says much of the delay comes from having to re-review games.
Indie developers
Some developers suspect a flood of AI-generated games is contributing to the backlog.
Review process
Valve
Valve says it aims to review builds within three to five days but is currently taking up to 12 business days.
Indie developers
Developers have reported waits of two or three weeks or more, and some say the delays have disrupted releases.
Wheel Make It’s developers said the game had been waiting two weeks for Steam approval.
Ashen Legacy submitted its game for review.
Caravarn Carnage: Fruity Road submitted its game for review.
Caravarn Carnage: Fruity Road and Ashen Legacy were approved.
Valve said reviews were taking up to 12 business days and published new checklists for developers.
- Usual review window
- 3–5 days
- Current review wait
- Up to 12 business days
- Caravarn Carnage: Fruity Road submission
- October 16, 2026
- Caravarn Carnage: Fruity Road approval
- November 1, 2026
- Ashen Legacy submission
- October 15, 2026
- Ashen Legacy approval
- November 1, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
We aim to test every game build in a timely manner, typically within 3-5 days. However, we're running a little behind right now and taking up to 12 business days
Much of that delay is due to having to re-review games, which isn't great for you or for us.
Believe it or not, sometimes we review builds that have not ever been played through Steam
Now, our Steam Community page is rapidly filling with player complaints, and we've lost all momentum.
Posts on X
Hi @Steamworks, my games build has been stuck in review since October 16, beyond the usual 3-5 business days. I've contacted support but haven't received an update on the build review. Can I get any help with this?
Wheel Make It has been unintentionally delayed while we're waiting on @Steam's approval. The game was submitted for review 2 weeks ago, and was rejected because they couldn't figure out how to access local co-op (you literally just share a keyboard...) The re-review has been
Oh my god! My first submission was rejected, and I’ve already had to wait over two weeks. The scariest thing right now isn’t the threat of AI-generated game clones—it’s the wait for Steam’s review process. It’s a race to see whose game gets approved first, and with my scheduled