7% Percent of Steam Games Use AI

The presence of generative AI (genAI) in games available on Steam has increased significantly over the past year. According to an analysis from Ichiro Lambe, 7,818 titles on Steam now disclose the use of genAI. This figure represents approximately 7% of the total games available on the platform, which currently hosts around 114,126 titles. The number marks a sharp rise from early 2024, when only around 1,000 games (about 1.1% of the platform at the time) had disclosed any use of genAI. The report shows that nearly one in five games released in 2025 so far have reported some use of generative AI technologies.

7% Percent of Steam Games Use AI

Primary Areas of genAI Integration

The majority of games that report genAI usage are employing it in development and content creation, rather than in gameplay itself. The research indicates that visual asset generation is the most common use case, appearing in approximately 60% of the disclosures.

Other areas where AI tools are used include audio creation, narrative and text development, code and game logic, as well as promotional and marketing materials. These applications are generally implemented before release and serve to streamline development processes or expand creative output.

7% Percent of Steam Games Use AI

Runtime AI in Gameplay Remains Limited

Games that use genAI at runtime (meaning the AI operates while the game is being played) are still relatively uncommon and typically not commercially successful. Some examples, such as inZOI, incorporate runtime AI for features like generating user-created content from text or images.

However, titles where runtime AI is central to gameplay, such as Never Ending Dungeon or Dreamio, have not achieved significant traction. The findings suggest that while this form of AI integration is technically feasible, it has yet to demonstrate wide appeal or financial viability.

7% Percent of Steam Games Use AI

Minor AI Use in Popular Games

A number of successful games on Steam have disclosed limited use of genAI without experiencing negative commercial impact. Titles like My Summer Car, which uses AI-generated artwork within the game environment, and Liar’s Bar, which employs AI-generated voice performances, show that casual or background applications of AI do not necessarily deter players. These games have reached substantial audiences and demonstrate that minor use of genAI is increasingly accepted by segments of the gaming community, especially among more casual users.

7% Percent of Steam Games Use AI

Community Sentiment and Disclosure Practices

Despite the rise in genAI usage, there is ongoing resistance from parts of the gaming community, particularly among artists and dedicated players who are critical of AI involvement in game development. The report emphasizes that this opposition has likely influenced the cautious stance of larger commercial studios, many of which continue to avoid integrating or publicly disclosing the use of genAI.

As a result, much of the visible AI activity is concentrated in smaller or independently developed games. There is also the question of whether the current figures fully reflect the extent of genAI use on Steam. The data raises the possibility that some developers may be using AI tools without disclosing them, either intentionally or due to uncertainty about what constitutes reportable use.

Although Valve, the company behind Steam, requires developers to declare AI involvement on their store pages, enforcement and verification remain limited. This suggests that the actual number of games using genAI could be higher than reported.

7% Percent of Steam Games Use AI

Final Thoughts

The integration of generative AI in Steam games has grown markedly, with developers increasingly turning to these tools for tasks related to art, audio, narrative, and marketing. While mainstream studios remain cautious due to public sentiment and potential backlash, smaller developers are more openly exploring AI’s capabilities.

The trend points to a broader adoption of genAI in game development, though its role in core gameplay remains limited. As the tools continue to evolve and disclosure standards adapt, the visibility and impact of AI in gaming are likely to expand further.