Valve changes Steam release rules as review waits stretch to 12 business days

Valve has updated the checklist developers must complete before submitting a game for Steam review, as the company says review waits can now reach 12 business days instead of the usual three to five days.

The revised process requires developers to launch and play their game through Steam for at least five minutes before sending a build for review. The checklist also calls for checks involving redistributables, achievements, Steam Cloud locations, supported languages, multiplayer access and review credentials.

Valve added new screenshot classifications as well. Developers must identify whether screenshots show gameplay, menus, concept art or cinematics. Valve said the checklist is intended to reduce repeat reviews caused by basic functional problems.

The changes follow an increase in Steam submissions and longer waits for developers, according to Engadget’s report on Valve’s update. Valve’s stated review target remains three to five days, although current reviews can take as long as 12 business days.

The checklist update is separate from Steam’s rules for generative AI. Developers must disclose AI-generated content that players encounter, including artwork, sound, narrative and localization. Content created before release is evaluated under the same pre-release standards as other game content.

Games that generate AI content during play must also explain the safeguards they use to prevent illegal output. Steam’s disclosure process can distinguish between content prepared before launch and content generated during gameplay, and AI disclosures can appear on a game’s store page.

For developers, the immediate effect of the checklist changes is a more detailed pre-submission process—and potentially more preparation before a build enters Valve’s review queue.