Valve updates Steam release checklist after ‘significant increase’ in submissions

GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed

Valve is changing Steam’s release checklist and review process after reporting a “significant increase” in submissions that has extended review times to up to 12 business days, The Verge reports. Valve says review times have slipped from the typical 3–5 business days to as long as 12 because the team is running behind and must re-review many builds. The Verge reports indie developers have recently complained about lengthy approval times, and some games reportedly missed planned launch dates. To reduce re-reviews for basic functional issues, Valve told The Verge it will require developers to run builds through Steam for at least five minutes, ensure achievements are ready, and confirm common redistributables like DirectX or Visual C++.

• What happened: The Verge reports Valve said it has seen a “significant increase” in store and page review submissions and is taking up to 12 business days for reviews instead of the typical 3–5 business days.
• Why it matters: The Verge reports indie developers have expressed frustration over lengthy approval times, and some games have reportedly missed planned launch dates as a result.
• Context: Valve says much of the delay is caused by having to re-review games, so it is changing the release checklist to cut down on re-reviews for basic functional issues, The Verge reports.
• What next: The Verge reports Valve will require developers to run games through Steam for at least five minutes, make sure achievements are ready, and confirm any required common redistributables like DirectX or Visual C++.