Valve has updated Steam’s pre-release review process after a sharp increase in game submissions caused approval delays for developers. In its November 3 Steamworks announcement, the company confirmed that some game build reviews are taking up to 12 business days instead of the usual three to five. Valve has introduced additional release checklist requirements to help developers identify technical problems before submitting their games for approval.
Steam is a major digital platform where developers publish and sell PC games. Before releasing a new title, developers must submit their store page and game build for Valve’s approval. According to the official Steamworks review process documentation, Valve checks whether the game launches correctly, whether advertised features are available, and whether the store page accurately describes the product. This approval process is separate from the customer reviews that players write after purchasing or playing games.
Valve normally aims to review game builds within three to five business days, but its November 3 update acknowledged that the process is currently taking up to 12 business days. The company said repeated reviews are responsible for much of the delay. This creates scheduling problems for developers who need approval before releasing their games, particularly independent studios working toward fixed launch dates.
One of the biggest changes requires developers to launch their games through the Steam client and play for at least five minutes before submitting a build for review. Developers must use Steam’s green Play button rather than opening the game’s executable file directly. Playtime from any user can satisfy the requirement, but it must have been recorded within the previous seven days or since the latest build was uploaded if that build is older than seven days. Valve says this test helps identify incorrect launch settings and missing game files before the formal review begins.
The new requirement is intended to catch basic technical problems before Valve begins its review. Some games may run correctly when developers test them outside Steam but fail when launched through the Steam client. Such problems can include missing files, incorrect launch settings, or installation errors that could prevent customers from playing.
Valve has also updated checks for common software components that some PC games require. Developers must specify whether their games need programs such as DirectX, Microsoft Visual C++, or .NET, which Steam can install when required. Games that do not need these components must also have that status confirmed in the release checklist. This helps prevent installation and startup problems caused by missing software.
The updated review process also includes checks for Steam achievements and cloud saving. Developers must resolve incomplete achievement settings, including missing names, missing icons, and duplicate achievement names. For games advertising Steam Cloud support, a member of the developer’s Steamworks partner group must successfully write a save file to Steam Cloud. Developers must also ensure that Cloud synchronization is configured for public use rather than left in developer mode. These checks are intended to prevent games from entering review with advertised features that are not properly configured.
Valve has also changed how developers categorize screenshots on Steam store pages. Developers can now include images of game menus, concept art, and in-game cinematics if they are placed in the appropriate categories. However, store pages must still contain at least five screenshots categorized as actual gameplay. Steam will display category labels to help customers understand what each image represents. Valve also confirmed that screenshots cannot be used to display promotional marketing copy.
Longer approval times can be particularly disruptive for independent studios with small teams and limited marketing budgets. Missing a planned release window may affect promotional campaigns and communication with waiting players. Launch timing matters because new games can attract considerable attention when they become available. For example, TechBonafide’s coverage of Phantom Blade Zero’s Steam launch shows how player activity can become an important part of reporting on a game’s early performance.
The review delays have also prompted discussion about the growing use of artificial intelligence in game development. However, Valve has not established that AI-generated games are responsible for the current backlog. The company has specifically identified rising submission volumes and repeated reviews as important sources of pressure. Valve’s review guidance also requires developers to provide accurate information about their games, including relevant disclosures about AI use and mature content. The available announcement does not establish a direct link between AI-generated games and longer approval times. Readers interested in separating confirmed gaming announcements from speculation can also explore TechBonafide’s guide to verifying gaming updates.
Valve has also introduced additional reminders that appear when developers submit game builds for review. These checks depend on the features advertised on a game’s Steam store page. For example, developers listing multiple language options must ensure those languages are included in the game. Studios offering multiplayer features may also need to provide special test accounts when reviewers cannot otherwise access those features. The changes aim to help developers identify missing requirements before submitting a build and reduce the need for repeated reviews.
Developers preparing upcoming Steam releases should allow extra time for approval and complete all required checks before submitting their builds. The official Steamworks release process explains how developers prepare their applications and submit builds for review. Valve’s standard guidance recommends allowing at least seven business days for build approval, but its latest announcement warns that current reviews can take up to 12 business days. Submitting early and resolving technical problems before review can reduce the risk of unexpected release delays, although approval times are not guaranteed.
For players, the updated approval checks could help reduce technical problems when new games become available on Steam. The changes are designed to identify issues before release, rather than change how customers rate or review games. Once games are available, developers can continue releasing updates and fixes. Players who want to understand those later changes can follow TechBonafide’s guide to reading game patch notes, which explains how to identify important fixes and gameplay adjustments.
Valve has indicated that more improvements to its review process are being developed. The company has not announced a specific date for review times to return to normal. For now, developers may need to allow additional time for approval as Steam works to manage its growing submission workload.
