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Steam Approvals Now Take Up to 12 Business Days as Submissions Surge
Valve says Steam build reviews are taking up to 12 business days, citing a surge in store page and build submissions. Some developers report waits of several weeks.
Valve is warning developers that Steam approvals are slowing down. In a blog post published Tuesday night, the company said it is "running a little behind right now" and is taking up to 12 business days to review game builds, well above its usual target of 3 to 5 days. The delays come as Steam takes in a record flood of new submissions, and many developers are asking whether the wave of AI-made games is part of the reason.
What was announced
Valve says it aims to test every game build "in a timely manner, typically within 3-5 days." Right now, though, the queue is longer. Much of the delay comes from re-reviews, when a game is sent back and must be checked again. Valve says that is frustrating for developers and for its own staff, and its post lays out tips aimed at getting games through review on the first try. The company also says it is making some changes to the process, but it did not give details in the coverage available.
Valve attributes the backlog to "a significant increase in submissions for store page and build review" in recent months. It did not directly name AI-made games as the cause. Game Developer notes that Steam Next Fest doubled its historical highs for submissions, and that the timing lines up with a separate surge of AI-driven titles on Itch.io.
Developers have been more frustrated than the official numbers suggest. Kotaku reported that several indie teams waited two to three weeks or longer with little or no communication from Valve. Caravan Carnage: Fruity Road was submitted on October 16 and approved on November 1. Ashen Legacy was submitted on October 15, approved on November 1, and was days away from a planned November 6 release. Lacey's Flash Games launched four days late, and Wheel Make It was reportedly rejected because reviewers could not activate local co-op, a feature the developer says is played by two people sharing one keyboard.
Key details
- Company: Valve
- Platform: Steam (PC)
- Stated review target: Typically 3-5 days per build
- Current review time: Up to 12 business days, according to Valve
- Valve's stated cause: "A significant increase in submissions for store page and build review"
- Developer reports: Waits of two to three weeks or more, per Kotaku
- Missing or unconfirmed: The specifics of the upcoming process changes, and whether AI-made submissions are the main driver of the backlog (Valve has not said so)
What it means for developers
- Plan for longer review windows. Budget up to 12 business days for a build, plus time for any re-review, and avoid announcing a firm launch date until a build has cleared.
- Make your store page match your build. Valve's advice centers on whether listed features, such as local co-op or pause support, work as described. A mismatch is an easy way to get a build bounced back.
- Keep a buffer before launch. Ashen Legacy's approval arrived just before its planned release, which is a reminder to submit well ahead of any marketing date.
- Write clear test notes. Explain exactly how to reach and test the features Valve checks, so reviewers do not have to guess how a control or mode works.
- Watch for process changes. The backlog is likely to shape new rules, so keep an eye on Valve's blog and Steamworks documentation for updates before your next submission.
Sources
Cover image: © Valve.
