According to Epic CEO Tim Sweeney - game stores don't need an AI label as it will be everywhere

With the increasing amount of games using AI, Epic Game's Tim Sweeney believes the AI messages on stores like Steam make no sense.

Currently, if a game that's released on Steam uses generative AI in some way, it needs to be disclosed. Developers have to go through a content survey on their games to detail things like mature content and AI use. From Valve's own public rules on it as a reminder first:

If your game used AI services during development or incorporates AI services as a part of the product, this section will require you to describe that implementation in detail:

• Pre-Generated: Any kind of content (art/code/sound/etc) created with the help of AI tools during development. Under the Steam Distribution Agreement, you promise Valve that your game will not include illegal or infringing content, and that your game will be consistent with your marketing materials. In our prerelease review, we will evaluate the output of AI generated content in your game the same way we evaluate all non-AI content - including a check that your game meets those promises.
• Live-Generated: Any kind of content created with the help of AI tools while the game is running. In addition to following the same rules as Pre-Generated AI content, this comes with an additional requirement - in the Content Survey, you'll need to tell us what kind of guardrails you're putting on your AI to ensure it's not generating illegal content.

You've probably seen the notices buried at the bottom of Steam store pages, like this one for Stellaris from Paradox Interactive:

Which you can make much bigger and clearer so you don't miss them with a browser plugin covered here on GamingOnLinux recently.

Jumping into the discussion now is Epic Game's CEO Tim Sweeney, posting a reply to someone on X (Twitter):

It's no surprise that Sweeney is in favour of it, with games like Fortnite previously using AI like being able to chat with Darth Vader.

The situation with generative AI is evolving constantly, but even Sweeney here notes there are rights issues. To be more specific: a lot of the generative AI models used everywhere are trained on material without the permission of the original author of various works. There's been many lawsuits on it to the point that I don't think I need to rehash any of that here - they're all reported on constantly in depth elsewhere.

Even if it does end up everywhere, it's still a good thing to know how it's being used - isn't it? It's a discussion that swings wildly between camps. AI slop makers and people in favour of AI generation will naturally not want these types of notices and will fight against them, while the other side no doubt value seeing the notice to make more informed purchasing decisions.

One thing is for sure - generative AI is complicating everything and companies are repeatedly enshittifying their products with generative AI, and it's going to continue on for some time.

What are your thoughts on the AI disclosures? Leave a comment.