Valve Isn't Against AI, but It Will Decline Games That Contain Copyright-Infringing AI Assets: According to a Report

Valve does not oppose the usage of AI-generated assets in game creation, but will take action against any products that violate copyright rules. Last month, Reddit user 'u/potterharry97' claimed on the r/aigamedev forum that Valve refused to publish his unnamed game, which supposedly incorporated AI-generated graphics. The developer referred to hand-improving those assets only to be denied again due to copyright concerns and promised a refund on paid app credits. With the game industry wrestling with the usage of artificial intelligence techniques in their work, the notoriously tight-lipped publisher, which owns PC gaming platform Steam, has now explained that it is just updating its stance.

"We recognise that [AI] is a constantly evolving technology, and our goal is not to discourage its use on Steam; rather, we're figuring out how to integrate it into our already-existing review policies," Valve stated in a written statement to Polygon. "To put it simply, our review process reflects current copyright law and policies, not an additional layer of our opinion." Our methodology will change in tandem with these laws and rules." In recent years, the usage of AI-generated art has raised several disputes over plagiarism, as the programme merely repurposes existing art elements from all corners of the Internet and mushes them together in a desired manner. Valve is attempting to avoid this by promoting creativity as long as developers utilise the work under 'proper commercial licences.' Simply put, if Valve determines that you do not hold the rights to a certain asset, it will not be allowed for distribution on Steam.

Valve is unsure how it will assess whether a game lacks copyright licences for an asset, but will return any app-submission credits in such circumstances while the firm continues to refine its policy. This also emphasises how difficult it will be for video game publishers in general to evaluate art made using AI techniques, pushing the duty onto developers to seek ownership of datasets from the company producing the AI assets. However, because most AI programmes cannot claim legal rights to underpaid artists' work, Valve's statement effectively acts as a blanket prohibition on all such material. No publisher would want to risk the legal ramifications of doing so.

The usage of AI in media may potentially result in fewer jobs for artists. Marvel's Secret Invasion, which debuted late last month, had an unusual shapeshifting beginning with imagery that seemed like it came from an AI toolbox. Method Studios, the company responsible for the opening, eventually admitted to it in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, adding that no artist positions were lost as a result of adopting such technologies. The company said that the whole production was done by 'conventional work of the art department, animators, compositors, and other artists,' emphasising that AI was only utilised to develop the characters' traits and unusual motions.

In other news, Steam is now holding its annual Summer Sale, with discounts ranging from 15% to 85% off select titles. However, several of these titles are available at lower costs on the GreenManGaming (GMG) shop, so we recommend checking pricing before making any purchases. Before they may use GMG, Indian debit cardholders must authorise foreign transactions on their cards.