Running from February 23 to March 2, Steam Next Fest 2026 boasts a staggering 3,455 free demos. While the sheer volume is impressive, it has sparked significant backlash from both players and developers, as generative AI continues to saturate the platform with low-effort, mass-produced projects lacking any real artistic merit.
On Reddit and various gaming forums, enthusiasts are expressing frustration over how difficult it has become to discover high-quality titles amidst a sea of AI-generated visuals and repetitive, template-based mechanics. Consequently, users are urging Valve to implement a dedicated tag or filter that would allow them to hide games heavily reliant on AI content.
John “Bucky” Buckley, head of publishing at Pocketpair (the creators of Palworld), recently remarked that AI-generated cover art serves as a primary warning sign to avoid a project entirely.
Although Valve mandates that developers disclose their use of AI, the storefront currently lacks a specific search filter for users, and the company has yet to officially address the situation. With every new event, the community’s demand for better curation and transparency only grows stronger.
Source: iXBT.games