Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has criticized the mandatory labeling of games created with artificial intelligence in digital stores like Steam. In his view, such requirements will soon become obsolete, as AI is already becoming an integral part of modern game development. Sweeney shared his position on the social network X, noting that these labels offer no real benefit to players or developers.
He emphasized that disclosing the use of AI may only be justified in certain cases—for example, at art exhibitions or when licensing digital content, where it’s important to clarify ownership rights. However, for the mass video game market, where AI is already widely used, such measures seem excessive.
Policy changes on Steam and other platforms
Early last year, Valve, the company behind Steam, updated its rules for publishing games that use artificial intelligence. Now, developers are required to disclose how they used AI in creating their projects. This marked a significant step forward from Valve’s previous cautious stance, when games featuring AI were met with skepticism.
The Itch.io platform, popular among indie developers, has also introduced mandatory disclosure of generative AI use. Since last November, all creators must indicate if neural networks or similar technologies were utilized in their games. These changes reflect a growing emphasis on transparency regarding authorship and technology.
Statistics and Trends: AI Is Becoming the Norm in Games
According to a July report by Totally Human Media, only 7% of games on Steam disclose the use of artificial intelligence. For comparison, a year ago this figure was just 1.1%. The increase in such projects shows that AI is rapidly making its way into the industry, and labeling requirements are becoming increasingly formalized.
Nexon CEO Jung-Hun Lee recently stated that today almost every major game company uses AI in its products. His remarks came amid discussions surrounding the controversy with the game Arc Raiders, where neural networks were used for character voiceovers. The project is developed by Embark Studios, which is part of Nexon.
The Debate Over the Benefits and Risks of Artificial Intelligence
Tim Sweeney is convinced that artificial intelligence can dramatically boost productivity across a range of fields, including game development. He pointed out that opinions on AI are often based on assumptions and heavily influenced by political views. Whether AI is a boon or a threat remains an open question and sparks debate among professionals and the general public alike.
Nevertheless, Sweeney is confident that in the coming years, artificial intelligence will become a standard tool in game development, and labeling requirements will quickly become obsolete. In his view, the industry should focus on real questions of authorship and rights, rather than on formal labels.
In case you didn’t know, Epic Games is one of the world’s largest video game developers and publishers, founded in 1991. The company is known for projects like Fortnite, Unreal Tournament, and the Unreal Engine, which is used by thousands of studios worldwide. Tim Sweeney, Epic Games’ long-standing leader, is considered one of the most influential figures in the gaming industry and is actively involved in discussions on technological and legal issues related to the development of digital content.
