Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 1 hr ago
Epic CEO criticizes Steam’s required AI disclosures
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has criticized Steam’s AI disclosure policy on social media, calling it “abhorrent.”
Valve requires developers to disclose generative AI-made content in games sold on Steam.
The rules cover items such as artwork, music and text, but not AI tools used only to assist with coding.
Sweeney argues the disclosures can act as political statements that invite backlash against developers.
The debate comes as Epic promotes AI use in its own development work and recently made an AI game jam optional after first requiring AI use.
Valve says it will keep reviewing its policy as it learns more about AI and related legal risks.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized Steam’s mandatory disclosures of generative AI use, calling them political statements that could expose developers to backlash.
Steam requires developers to disclose when generative AI creates content for their games.
Sweeney argued that the disclosures could harm developers’ businesses and livelihoods.
Valve has said the policy followed its assessment of risks and discussions with developers and AI-tool makers.
The policy applies to generated content, while developers no longer need to report tools used to assist with code.
- Who
- Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney criticized the policy; Valve requires the disclosures.
- What
- Sweeney said Steam’s mandatory AI disclosures are political and could expose developers to backlash.
- When
- Sweeney posted his comments on October 24 and 25, 2026.
- Where
- Sweeney made the comments on X. The policy applies to games on Steam.
- Why
- Sweeney argued the disclosures could be used against developers and harm their businesses.
Tim Sweeney
Valve
Purpose of disclosures
Tim Sweeney
Sweeney says the policy forces developers to make political statements that can be used against them.
Valve
Valve says the policy reflects its assessment of risks and discussions with developers and AI-tool makers.
Effect on developers
Tim Sweeney
Sweeney says disclosures can fuel backlash and undermine developers’ businesses and livelihoods.
Valve
Valve says the policy allows it to be more open to releasing games that use AI technology.
Steam began asking developers to disclose generative AI use.
Sweeney posted on X that forcing developers to make AI disclosures was abhorrent.
Sweeney posted that Valve was harming developers’ businesses to enforce its politics.
- Policy began
- 2024
- Sweeney’s role
- Epic Games CEO
- Platform requiring disclosures
- Steam
- Disclosure scope
- Generative AI-created content, including assets, music, text, mechanics, and marketing material
- Steam Next Fest demos with AI label
- Nearly 1,700 out of more than 8,600
3 sources
Epic Games Boss Tim Sweeney Doubles Down on Valve Criticism, Says Steam's AI Content Disclosure Is a 'Political Act'
Steam Week in Review: AI disclosures enter the discourse again, as Epic CEO calls them 'just as partisan as mandatory political essays'
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney lambasts “abhorrent” Steam AI Disclosure Policy claiming labels double as “political statement”
What people are saying
Forcing developers to write a political statement to be used against them by the hate mob they're [Valve is] helping organize is abhorrent
These AI statements are just as partisan as mandatory political essays or forcing developers to list their voting history to drive cancel campaigns and public struggle sessions.
I think it’s really irresponsible of Valve
Today's changes are the result of us improving our understanding of the landscape and risks in this space, as well as talking to game developers using AI, and those building AI tools
Posts on X
@Filmbot There is a real economic cost to Valve’s foray into forced political disclosures. Besides taking 30%, they’re also taking a potentially even larger fraction of developers’ revenue and livelihood by undermining their business with these AI hate campaigns.