Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Complete Steamworks’ Content Survey before submitting your store page and build for review. In the generative-AI section, identify player-facing content made with AI during development as Pre-Generated, and identify content created with AI while the game is running as Live-Generated. For live generation, describe the safeguards your shipped implementation uses to prevent illegal output. Then check that the survey answers match the near-final build and everything promised on the store page. Valve says disclosure helps it understand the product, but it does not waive Steam’s content, rights, or legal requirements.
This guide explains what to disclose, what falls outside the stated scope, how to document runtime safeguards without making unsupported promises, and what to do if the answer changes after approval. The current Steamworks documentation is available at Valve’s Content Survey documentation.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What must be completed before Steam reviews a game?
The Content Survey has three parts: general content, mature content, and generative AI. Complete all applicable sections before putting the store page and build into review. Valve compares the answers with the submitted build and store page, so the survey is not an isolated administrative form.
The survey is completed inside Steamworks for the specific game. Public documentation does not establish a universal partner-dashboard path, exact button labels, or field-length limits, so rely on the labels shown in your own partner account rather than copying a navigation path from an unrelated guide. The requirement and timing are documented by Valve at Steamworks Content Survey.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
General-content questions
These questions describe the game’s ordinary content and presentation. Answer them for what players can actually encounter in the build and what the store page communicates.
Mature-content questions
Mature-content answers must also match the build and marketing. An AI disclosure does not replace these answers; a game can require both mature-content disclosure and one or both generative-AI categories.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallGenerative-AI questions
This section concerns AI-assisted content that ships for players to consume. Valve gives artwork, sound, narrative, and localization as examples. It distinguishes content prepared during development from content produced during play, and live generation requires an explanation of safeguards against illegal generation.
How do I decide whether an AI use belongs in the survey?
Start with the output a player receives, not the name of the tool used. Make a written inventory of every player-facing asset or response that involved generative AI, then separate material packaged with the game from material produced at runtime.
- Shipped assets: list illustrations, textures, voices, music, sound effects, written dialogue, quest text, item descriptions, cut-scene material, and localizations that were created or materially assisted by generative AI during development.
- Runtime output: list dialogue, images, audio, animations, stories, or other content generated after the game starts in response to player input or game state.
- Human-authored material: identify content that was written or produced without generative-AI assistance so it is not accidentally described as AI content.
- Development-only tooling: note AI used for tasks such as brainstorming, code assistance, debugging, project management, or internal asset organization when it does not create content that players consume.
Valve’s stated focus is the first two categories: player-consumed content. An AI-equipped development workflow that never produces shipped player-facing content is not the focus identified for this survey section. That is a scope statement, not a blanket exemption for every possible AI workflow; evaluate any workflow that changes what players receive and answer all other survey sections accurately.
What is the difference between Pre-Generated and Live-Generated AI?
The deciding factor is when the AI creates the player-consumed content. Content made with AI help during development and included in the shipped game is Pre-Generated. Content made with AI help while the game is running is Live-Generated.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Decision axis | Pre-Generated | Live-Generated |
|---|---|---|
| When the AI helps create content | During development, before the content is packaged for release | While the game is running, in response to gameplay, player input, or another runtime event |
| Typical explanation | AI-assisted illustration, soundtrack element, voice line, narrative passage, or localization shipped in the build | AI-assisted dialogue or other media generated during a play session |
| What to describe | Which player-facing content used AI and how it appears in the shipped game | Which runtime systems generate content, what players can receive, and the safeguards deployed against illegal generation |
| Other obligations | Output must still satisfy Steam’s content rules, rights requirements, and the promises made in marketing | The same content, rights, and marketing requirements apply, plus the runtime-guardrail explanation |
A game can use both categories. For example, a title might ship AI-assisted character portraits (Pre-Generated) and also create conversational responses from a model during play (Live-Generated). Disclose each applicable category instead of forcing every use into only one answer. Valve’s definitions and examples are in the Content Survey documentation.
How do I complete the Steamworks disclosure step by step?
Prepare the evidence first, then complete the survey against the same build and store materials you intend to submit. Do not rely on a generic description of “AI features” when the implementation has several different outputs.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Inventory player-facing AI output. Create separate lists for packaged assets and runtime output. Include art, audio, narrative, dialogue, and localization, and identify where each item appears in the game.
- Open the game’s Content Survey in Steamworks. Use the survey associated with the correct app. The public documentation does not verify a single navigation path for every partner account, so follow the current controls in your dashboard.
- Complete the general and mature-content sections. Answer them for the build and store page you are submitting. AI-related answers do not substitute for these sections.
- Describe Pre-Generated content. Select or answer the applicable pre-generated category and explain which shipped, player-consumed material was made with AI assistance. Distinguish an AI-assisted asset from an internal experiment that never reaches players.
- Describe Live-Generated content. If the running game creates AI-assisted content, identify the runtime feature and the kinds of output players can receive. If both pre-generated and live-generated systems exist, address both.
- Document the safeguards that are actually deployed. For live generation, explain the guardrails your release build uses to prevent illegal output. Do not describe a planned filter, review queue, or policy as though it is already implemented.
- Reconcile the survey, store page, and build. Compare terminology, screenshots, trailers, feature descriptions, and the actual runtime behavior. Remove a claim from marketing if the submitted build does not provide it, or update the implementation before submission.
- Use Steamworks’ readiness and review actions. Submit the store page and build through the current Steamworks workflow, allowing the review time described below. Keep a copy of the completed answers and the build identifier used for the comparison.
Valve’s documentation says the surveys help identify whether a product requires updates. In its FAQ, Valve states: These surveys will help us identify whether or not your product requires any updates.
That statement describes a review and communication function, not an approval guarantee.
What guardrails does Steam require for live-generated AI?
Valve asks developers using Live-Generated AI to explain the safeguards that prevent illegal generation. The documentation does not provide one universal technical recipe. Your explanation should describe the controls present in the version you submit and the point at which each control acts.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDescribe the generation boundary
Explain what the model can generate, which player inputs or game events reach it, and whether the output is text, images, audio, or another medium. State whether the system can call external services and what happens when a service is unavailable.
Describe input and output controls
Identify the actual prompt restrictions, classifiers, blocklists, rate limits, moderation stages, or human-review steps in the shipped system. If a control only covers one medium or language, say so. A proposal to add a filter after launch is not a deployed safeguard.
Describe failure handling
Explain what the game does when a request is rejected, times out, or produces a response that fails a check. A fixed fallback line, regenerated response, disabled feature, or escalation path can be described only if that behavior exists in the release build.
Do not overstate protection
Use precise language about coverage and limitations. Saying that a system “prevents all illegal content” is broader than evidence normally supports; describe the implemented controls and the circumstances they cover. The obligation is to explain the guardrails, not to claim that disclosure itself makes the system lawful.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →How should the store page and build match the AI disclosure?
Reviewers can compare the survey with both surfaces. The store page should describe AI features in a way that matches what the build actually does, while screenshots and trailers should not imply a fixed, human-authored result if players receive runtime-generated content.
- Use the same terms—Pre-Generated and Live-Generated—consistently in internal release notes and the survey.
- Check that every AI-assisted asset shown in marketing is present in the submitted build or clearly labeled as representative where the platform’s rules allow that distinction.
- Verify that localization claims match the languages and text players can receive.
- Make sure a runtime feature described as optional is actually optional, and that an always-on generator is not presented as a static scripted sequence.
- Check age ratings, mature-content answers, and store copy together; AI disclosure does not replace an accurate maturity description.
Do this comparison with the near-final candidate, not an earlier prototype. Changes to prompts, models, moderation, asset packs, or localization between the survey and review can make an otherwise accurate answer stale.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Does disclosing AI make a game acceptable on Steam?
No. Disclosure is a transparency and review step, not a safe harbor. Steam’s content rules still apply, as do requirements concerning rights and laws in the places where the game is distributed.
Do not assume that naming a model, listing an AI asset, or checking a survey category cures an infringement, unauthorized likeness, unlawful material, or misleading marketing claim. Confirm that you have the necessary rights for training inputs and shipped outputs, and that your distribution plan complies with applicable law.
Recommended Free Tools
Valve’s documentation also says it does not currently want to ship games with Live-Generated Adult Only Sexual Content. Treat that statement as a platform-policy limitation, not as permission to include such material in a different category or behind a payment wall. Recheck the current Steamworks wording before submitting because policy language can change.
What if AI was used only to make code or internal tools?
The generative-AI section is framed around content that players consume, not every productivity use of an AI-equipped tool. If AI helped write code, generate test data, summarize bug reports, or organize internal work without producing player-facing content, that use is outside the focus Valve identifies for this section.
That distinction is not a universal exemption. If the tool also generated dialogue, art, audio, localization, or another asset that ships to players, include that output. If an internal tool changes runtime generation, moderation, or another player-visible behavior, describe the resulting feature rather than hiding it under “development tooling.”
How are costs handled when live AI has a per-interaction charge?
For a live-generated AI service that costs money per interaction, Valve says the developer manages player access and collects player payments through a Steam-supported method. The FAQ lists incorporating the cost into the base price, using microtransactions, subscriptions, or downloadable content as possible approaches.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Those are operational options, not a recommendation for a particular business model and not a replacement for disclosure. Explain the access and payment design only as it exists in your game, and make sure store copy does not promise unlimited generation if usage is limited by credits, subscriptions, or service availability.
How long should Steam review take?
Valve’s planning guidance recommends allowing at least seven business days for each submission of the store page and build. The review-process documentation says an individual review typically takes three to five business days, but the longer allowance is the safer schedule for launch planning.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Widely Compatible: Transform any USB-C port into a USB-A port and USB-A port into a USB-C port, and connect up a wide range of USB-C(including MacBook, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, iPhone models with USB C ports, Samsung Galaxy series, and Google Pixel series. ) and USB A devices(including external hard drives, phones, mice, printers, and more)
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Submit with enough time to correct a mismatch, answer a follow-up question, or update the build. A completed survey does not shorten the review queue or guarantee approval.
Can I change the AI disclosure after approval?
Plan changes as a support matter, not merely as an edit to a local document. Once the build and store page are approved, some survey answers require Steam Support to change.
When an answer cannot be edited, contact Steam Support, identify what changed, name the affected answer, and provide a route for testers or reviewers to see the changed behavior in the updated build. Keep the explanation specific: for example, identify the new runtime generator, the newly shipped AI-assisted localization, or the removed feature.
Updating an approved game does not generally require repeating the release review, but that general rule does not remove the separate requirement to contact Support for survey answers that are locked or otherwise cannot be edited. Check the current Steamworks instructions before publishing a substantial AI change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Steamworks AI-disclosure checklist
- All three Content Survey sections are complete for the correct app.
- Every player-facing AI-assisted asset is classified as shipped Pre-Generated content, Live-Generated content, or both.
- Runtime output, triggers, media types, and fallback behavior are documented.
- Live-generation safeguards against illegal output are implemented in the submitted build and described accurately.
- Rights, legality, mature-content answers, and marketing claims have been reviewed separately from the AI checkbox.
- The store page, screenshots, trailers, and build describe the same AI behavior.
- The review schedule includes at least seven business days for each submission.
- A post-approval change plan identifies who will contact Steam Support and how testers can access the changed feature.
Common mistakes that delay or weaken a disclosure
Calling every AI use “pre-generated”
Pre-Generated refers to content created during development and shipped with the game. A response produced after a player enters a prompt during play is Live-Generated, even if the model or prompt was prepared months earlier.
Declaring only the most visible asset
A game may have AI-assisted localization or sound in addition to its headline artwork. Inventory each player-facing medium so the answer reflects the complete release.
Describing planned moderation
For live generation, a future roadmap is not the same as a safeguard in the submitted build. State what blocks, filters, limits, or fallback paths are active now.
Treating disclosure as a rights clearance
Steam can still reject content that lacks adequate rights or violates law. A survey answer records the implementation; it does not grant permission to use someone else’s work or likeness.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Assuming a public badge or fixed store location
The reviewed public documentation says survey answers help customers understand the product, but it does not establish one exact public badge or display location for every answer. Do not promise a particular label on the store page unless Steamworks shows it for your product.
Submitting a prototype that differs from the store page
Valve compares the responses with the build and store page. Submit a near-final candidate and recheck the answers after any model, prompt, moderation, asset, or localization change.
What should you do immediately before clicking submit?
Read the AI section as a reviewer would: identify what players consume, when it is created, and what controls operate at runtime. Then open the build and store page and verify every answer against observable behavior. If a feature is not ready, remove the claim or delay submission rather than describing an intended implementation.
Finally, save the answer set, build identifier, and store-page version used for review. That record makes a later Support request clearer if an approved feature changes or a locked answer must be updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Steam display a public AI badge on my store page?
The public Content Survey documentation does not promise one universal badge or a fixed location for every answer. Treat the survey as required platform disclosure and describe AI behavior plainly in your own store copy where appropriate, without promising a particular Steam label.
Does AI-generated code have to be listed in the generative-AI section?
Valve frames that section around player-consumed content such as art, sound, narrative, and localization. Code assistance that never creates player-facing output is not the stated focus, but any resulting runtime generator or shipped AI-assisted asset should be disclosed according to what players receive.
Can I submit before my live-AI moderation system is finished?
You should describe safeguards that are deployed in the build submitted for review, not controls planned for a later patch. If the runtime feature cannot yet prevent illegal output as described, finish the implementation or remove the feature from the submission.
What does Valve do with Content Survey answers?
Valve says the surveys help identify whether a product requires updates. That means an answer can prompt clarification or a requested change; completing the form is not an approval or immunity from Steam’s other rules.
Do normal game updates always trigger another release review?
Valve’s documentation says updating an approved game generally does not require repeating the release review. A separate Support contact can still be required when a locked survey answer changes, so review both requirements for an AI-related update.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
