Has AI ruined Steam Next Fest? How creatives can still find the gems
Steam Next Fest is live from 23 February to 2 March 2026 with 3,455 playable demos. It's a goldmine for discovery and a stress test for attention. This year, the common thread isn't just volume-it's the flood of generative AI assets muddying the feed.
Players are calling for better filters, especially the ability to hide titles with heavy AI use. One Redditor summed up the mood: "NextFests are basically searching for diamonds in a sea of shit now thanks to it." Another plea: "I wish Valve would add AI to official game tags so I could filter those out."
Developers feel it too. John 'Bucky' Buckley of Pocketpair said AI capsule art is an instant turn-off during Next Fest browsing. And while Steam now asks developers to disclose generative AI on store pages, there's still no official AI tag-so you can't filter it out with a click.
What this means for creatives
If you're making games, your capsule art and first 15 seconds of trailer matter more than ever. AI lookalikes are flooding the surface layer of discovery, so distinctive craft and a clear hook are your moat. If you're playing, discovery takes more manual work-but there are still plenty of standouts.
Practical ways to cut through the noise
- Start at the official hub and sort by "Top Wishlisted," "New & Trending," and your favorite tags. Steam Next Fest
- Open store pages and check for the AI disclosure. If the capsule looks generic, compare it to in-game screenshots-if the styles clash, skip.
- Follow developers you trust and filter your library by publishers you already like. Use your wishlist as a curated queue.
- Watch short VODs or live streams. A minute of real gameplay beats ten minutes of scrolling.
- For creators: avoid AI-forward capsules. Commission art, lean on a consistent visual language, and state your process early. If you use AI, be transparent and explain how you ensured quality and originality.
Want a fast primer on how AI art tools impact production quality and brand perception? See Generative Art.
5 Steam Next Fest demos to try
- Phonopolis
Amanita Design returns with a hand-crafted cardboard world and story-driven puzzles set in a dystopian city inspired by avant-garde art. The tactile look is the hook; the puzzles carry the weight.
See Phonopolis on Steam - Windrose
An open-world PvE pirate survival game with "soulslite" combat and demanding bosses. Think sandbox freedom, action-RPG structure, sea shanties, and a theme games underuse.
See Windrose on Steam - Vampire Crawlers
From the creator of Vampire Survivors, this twist reimagines the formula as a retro PC dungeon crawler with turn-based, card-represented combat. It sounds like a gag, but it works-and it's sticky.
See Vampire Crawlers on Steam - Wax Heads
A cozy-punk narrative sim about running a struggling record store, chatting with oddball customers, and falling for bands. Feels timely and personal, with the right amount of slack and soul.
See Wax Heads on Steam - The Eternal Life of Goldman
A sumptuous platform adventure across a hand-drawn archipelago, starring an elderly protagonist on a mythic quest. Frame-by-frame animation evokes classic inspirations without feeling dated.
See The Eternal Life of Goldman on Steam
Bottom line
AI hasn't "ruined" Next Fest-but it has raised the cost of discovery. A simple AI tag or toggle from Valve would help. Until then, lean on curated lists, real gameplay, and consistent art direction to separate signal from slop. The gems are still there. You just have to look with intention.
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