Steam Next Fest’s top played games include only 1 of over 500 demos with an AI disclosure
Valve has released the list of the ten most-played demos from Steam Next Fest, showcasing the diversity available across the platform’s over 4,000 submissions. The standout titles include Bandai Namco’s Echoes of Aincrad, an anime-styled third-person action RPG based on Sword Art Online, alongside an offroading simulator from the creators of Art of Rally, a Soulslike extraction RPG, a 6v6 competitive shooter from the Splitgate studio, and various indie titles.
However, the Steam Next Fest event has exposed a significant transparency gap: of over 500 demos available, only one carried an AI disclosure label. This lack of standardized disclosure raises concerns about undisclosed artificial intelligence use across the event’s game submissions. With thousands of demos attracting substantial player engagement, the absence of clear AI labeling mechanisms prevents players from easily identifying which games utilize AI in their development or gameplay features.
The disparity highlights a broader platform challenge for Valve. Critics are calling for Steam to implement an AI filter or mandatory labeling requirement to help users make informed choices about the games they download. Without such tools, players browsing Steam Next Fest and similar events will lack visibility into AI involvement in the titles they are considering.