The Steam Next Fest 2026 has begun, bringing with it a massive number of playable demos. According to Steam's press page, there are currently 8,202, more than double last year's total.
You can browse the offerings on the official Next Fest page. It sounds like a great opportunity to discover new games before the GTA 6 month of November arrives. However, there are shadows looming.
Why is Generative AI Causing Trouble at Next Fest?
At June's Next Fest, approximately 17 percent of demos stated they used generative AI. The actual number is likely higher, as not everyone discloses its use. According to Eurogamer, its prevalence has only increased over the past twelve months.
Another problem arises: clones. Successful indie games are being copied and flooded onto Steam. Because of this, the studio Alliance Arts temporarily canceled the demo for its horror game, Drunken Goddess Reflux. The concern is that the demo could be used to quickly recreate its presentation and gameplay with AI or other tools before the original game is released.
According to the report, Needle in a Haystack is also suffering from a wave of quickly manufactured copies.
What Does the Demo Flood Mean for Players and Indie Studios?
For you, more demos initially means more choice. The catch is discoverability. A small team building a demo has to compete against thousands of others. Good games can easily get lost in the shuffle.
From our perspective, that's the real sticking point. The Next Fest has traditionally been a strong platform for discovering hidden gems. If clones and mass-produced AI content fill the space, its value for everyone diminishes. Whether Valve will take countermeasures remains to be seen. Our tip: Carefully examine developers and store pages before filling your wishlists.
According to Eurogamer, it's not yet clear whether the Next Fest will remain as useful for developers and fans as it once was. The coming days will show how the flood impacts the event.
Source: Eurogamer
Which demo will you play first at Next Fest? And does AI in games bother you? Let us know in the comments!
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