Valve updates Steam submission rules to address review delays

Valve has announced new requirements for game submissions on Steam to combat a significant backlog in the review process. While the company typically aims for a 3 to 5 business day turnaround, recent surges in submissions have extended wait times to an average of 12 business days.

To reduce the frequency of re-reviews caused by basic functional issues, Valve is implementing several new mandatory checks. Developers must now run their games through the Steam client for at least five minutes prior to submission to ensure proper integration. Additionally, developers must confirm the inclusion of necessary redistributables, such as DirectX and Visual C++, and verify that Steam Cloud saves and achievements are fully functional.

The company also introduced new rules for store page imagery. Developers are now required to categorize screenshots into specific types, including gameplay, concept art, menus, or cinematic sequences, with a minimum of five gameplay screenshots required.

While Valve has not explicitly named generative AI as the cause, industry observers and community data suggest that a massive influx of AI-generated content has contributed to the increased volume of submissions and the resulting bottleneck.