Only 8% of Steam Users Say They Wouldn't Buy a Game with AI

Generative AI remains a hot topic of debate online, but those looking to incorporate it into their game development might be pleased to learn that most Steam users are indifferent to whether a game they're considering buying features AI. A new study revealed that only 31% of users have a negative reaction to AI, with just 8% stating they would outright refuse to purchase a game because of it.

This study, conducted by GameDiscover.co, surveyed users on the question: "What do you think about buying Steam games that are disclosed as having used AI in some way?" Steam currently informs users when AI has been utilized in a game's development, and developers have the option to provide further explanations on their store pages. The results showed that 23.4% saw no problem with it whatsoever, 19.6% were fine with AI usage, and 25.6% were neutral. While 23.3% weren't "super excited" about AI in their games, a mere 8% declared they would absolutely not buy a game that employed AI.

The study's sample comprised approximately 3,800 Steam users, a small fraction of the player base on Valve's digital platform. However, it could reflect broader trends among gamers as AI becomes increasingly prevalent in our games. Even major titles like "Black Myth: Wukong" and "Crimson Desert" have been revealed to have used generative AI for placeholder art, and despite the controversies surrounding these instances, they haven't hindered these games from selling millions of copies.

These figures are likely a welcome sight for developers and publishers looking to further explore the use of AI-generated content. They demonstrate that while a small percentage of players vocalize opposition to AI, a significant portion of the gaming audience either accepts it without issue or remains unbothered by its presence.