Epic Games CEO calls Steam’s AI disclosure policies “a political act”

Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, has intensified criticism of Valve’s AI content disclosure policy, characterizing it as a “political act.” Steam’s policy requires developers to disclose the use of AI in creating content that ships with games and is consumed by players. Sweeney argued that this requirement forces developers to write “political statements” that can be weaponized against them, claiming it serves to “drive cancel campaigns against games and deprive them of revenue and livelihood.”

The confrontation reflects broader tensions between Epic Games and Valve, longstanding rivals in the PC gaming space. While Epic’s Games Store offers developers more financially beneficial terms, it has struggled to challenge Steam’s market dominance. Epic has recently undertaken a strategic pivot toward “maximum AI acceleration,” positioning itself as strongly pro-AI development.

Sweeney’s criticism highlights a growing divide in the gaming industry over AI use disclosure. Valve’s policy aims to provide players with transparency about AI’s role in game creation, while Sweeney views such requirements as anti-competitive measures that could harm developers financially through organized backlash. The dispute reflects fundamental disagreements about balancing player transparency with developer interests in an increasingly AI-integrated industry.

Sources

• Epic Games CEO calls Steam’s AI disclosure policies “a political act”
• Epic Games Boss Tim Sweeney Doubles Down on Valve Criticism, Says Steam’s AI Content Disclosure Is a ‘Political Act’
• Steam’s AI disclosures are akin to “forcing developers to list their voting history”, says man who must hate seeing eggs virtue signal that they’re free-range