Steam AI Reviews Reportedly Increasing in Frequency

AI-generated Steam reviews are reportedly becoming a widespread issue, potentially compromising the integrity of user reviews on the platform. Copyleaks conducted a case study analysis, which revealed a network of Steam users initially flagged by Reddit communities for potential AI-generated activity. 

Though the analysis is not 100% conclusive, Copyleaks discovered a pattern of suspicious accounts posting high volumes of similarly structured formulaic reviews, which the organization believes to be AI-generated. 

Gamesbeat reported on the issue, sourcing Copyleaks. In the news story, writer Dean Takahashi draws an example from a specific user named +negative, who has written nearly 360 reviews since 2023. According to Gamesbeat, a substantial number of the reviews display the structuring of generative AI, which includes repetitive phrasing, generic praise or criticism, and absence of persona insight or gameplay anecdotes.

The above review was attacked on Reddit, with users claiming the review to be the “Most Blatant ChatGPT Review” they had ever seen. Copyleaks also believes the review to be AI-generated. The organization’s analysis reports various phrases to be used hundreds of times more likely in AI-generated content, including the phrases “facing formidable adversaries,” and “could involve navigating.” 

The use of AI continues to be unregulated in various industries. Though consumers cry for clairvoyance in the use of AI, the use of the powerful generative tool remains largely unchecked. The direct implications of AI within the video games industry remain to be seen; it is a powerful tool for coding and development, but it also steals artworks without sourcing the artist. And, according to Copyleaks’ thorough manual analysis, AI-generated reviews now pollute Steam user reviews.