Steam Next Fest: Over one-third of October demos reported to use AI
GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed
TheGamer reported that more than one-third of games in October's Steam Next Fest use AI, up from about one-in-five previously. The piece, by Sam Woods, was published on October 20, 2026. TheGamer described the change as a rise from one-in-five to one-in-three among festival entries. The report does not, in the supplied evidence, define how "uses AI" was measured or include a response from Steam or Valve.
- What happened: TheGamer reported that over one-third of games in October's Steam Next Fest "use AI," an increase from one-in-five in an earlier comparison.
- Why it matters: TheGamer presents the figures as a jump in the share of festival entries that reportedly "use AI," signalling a change in the composition of demos at this edition of Steam Next Fest according to that report.
- Context: The report was published by Sam Woods at TheGamer on October 20, 2026 and specifically refers to the October edition of Steam Next Fest; the supplied evidence does not specify who compiled the count or how "uses AI" was defined.
- What next: The supplied evidence does not confirm any follow-up steps, an official response from Steam or Valve, or further details about methodology; those developments are not reported in the provided source.
What changed
- TheGamer reported that the proportion of games in October's Steam Next Fest that "use AI" rose to more than one-in-three, up from one-in-five.
Timeline
- TheGamer article by Sam Woods was published on October 20, 2026 and covers the October edition of Steam Next Fest.
Limits
- The supplied evidence does not state how TheGamer defined or measured "uses AI," who performed the count, or whether Steam/Valve provided comment; those details are not confirmed in the provided source.