Games Made with Generative AI Suffer Up to 53% Worse Sales on Steam
A new analysis shows video games using generative AI for assets like art, music, and code suffer significantly worse sales on Steam. Players may prefer traditional human-made content, potentially impacting indie developers who rely on AI tools to cut costs.
According to a report from TechPowerUp, games that use generative AI for assets like art, music, and code sell up to 53% worse on Steam than fully human-made titles. The analysis examined sales data across numerous games, distinguishing those with AI-assisted or AI-generated content from those created entirely by humans.
In plain English, AI-assisted games aren't performing as well financially—at least not yet. This matters because many indie developers use generative AI tools to cut costs and speed up production. If players are less willing to buy games made with AI, this could force developers to reconsider their workflows. Think of it like buying a handmade craft versus a mass-produced item—people often value the human touch.
While the report suggests a clear sales penalty for AI-made games, it's important to note the data covers a specific period and market. Player sentiment may evolve as AI tools improve or become more common.
If you're a gamer, you can check out the sales performance yourself. Visit Steam's store and compare games tagged with 'AI-assisted' or 'AI-generated' against similar human-made titles. Pay attention to user reviews—they often reveal why players prefer one over the other.