DeokjilHub
โฑ๏ธ From 5-Minute Pre-Launch Play Rule to Record-Low Sales, Today's Steam Roundup! ๐Ÿ’ธ - 2026.11.06
Steam

Game Collector

November 6, 2026

โฑ๏ธ From 5-Minute Pre-Launch Play Rule to Record-Low Sales, Today's Steam Roundup! ๐Ÿ’ธ - 2026.11.06

Hello, fans!

Let your wallet rest for a bit and let's use our brains today! ๐Ÿง  Steam's game launch review has changed quite a bit. Let's take a look!

โฑ๏ธ Why the 5-Minute Pre-Launch Play Rule?

Valve has revised the Steam game launch review process [1]. Developers must now run the game directly in the Steam client for at least 5 minutes before submitting a build. Press the 'Play' button and fill those 5 minutes [1]. Only play time recorded within the last 7 days counts, and run records from partner group members can also be used [1].

The background is review delays. The goal is usually 3 to 5 business days, but it now takes up to 12 business days [1]. Valve explained that much of the delay comes from re-reviews [1]. Games rejected for basic issues keep getting resubmitted, and the queue keeps growing. Some builds were reportedly submitted without ever being run on Steam, so this rule aims to stop that [1].

๐Ÿง What Does the Review Team Check?

Here are the newly disclosed checkpoints.

  • Shared redistributable package settings such as DirectX and Visual C++ [1]
  • Achievement names and icons, and Steam Cloud save functionality [1]
  • Screenshots: menus, concept art, and in-game cinematics are allowed, but at least 5 must be actual gameplay [1]
  • Whether the store page description, supported languages, and multiplayer features match the actual build [1]

Rather than restricting AI use itself, the focus is on whether what developers disclose matches the real game [1]. Valve also plans to keep improving the review process [1].

๐Ÿ“ˆ The Flood of New Games and the Pain for Indies

The number of new releases is massive. According to a report citing SteamDB, Steam's 2026 new releases had already reached 24,513 by early November, surpassing the entire total for last year [1]. In a tally by a Reddit user, 49.9% of games released on Steam in October officially included AI-generated content [1].

Indie developers bore the brunt. Some games were delayed by weeks, and creators lost marketing momentum [1]. The indie title 'Cubic Earth' reportedly secured over 60,000 views on its YouTube trailer and 6,000 wishlists, yet lost momentum due to friction in the launch process and faced player complaints [1]. Solo developer Supantha Paul also said he postponed the launch of the indie game 'Abashed' because approval was delayed. He said he waited about two weeks without receiving a clear answer [2].

๐ŸŽฎ A Gamer's Take

The 'AI slop' problem isn't someone else's issue for gamers. Inside Games Daily covered how AI slop is spreading on Steam [5]. At a recent Steam Next Fest, low-quality games quickly made with generative AI and games copying other developers' ideas kept appearing [1]. A video titled 'Steam Has a Slop Problem... And It's Getting Worse' has also been posted [6]. There's also a video comparing Steam and the Epic Games Store while examining the criticism that 'Steam makes gaming worse', so check it out if you're interested [9].

๐Ÿ’ธ Wallet Alert: Today's Sales and Picks

After all that serious talk, here's some good news! ๐Ÿ˜†

First, the 2D point-and-click farming sim 'Horse of Hoofprint Bay' from German indie studio is receiving 'Overwhelmingly Positive' reviews on Steam. It even received a 99% recommendation rate during the review period, so farm sim fans should keep an eye on it [4].

Don't miss the deals either. A video announced the last chance for all-time low prices, featuring The Walking Dead: The Telltale Definitive Series, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Dying Light, Borderlands Game of the Year Enhanced, and Frostpunk [7]. Alongside free Steam game news, deals on Stellar Blade, Resident Evil 4 Gold Edition, and Absolum were also featured [8].

Since launch reviews are getting stricter, we hope great indie games get more attention. Share the hidden indie gems you've discovered with the community! ๐ŸŽฎโœจ

๐Ÿ“ฐ Reference News (4)

1

Steam Launch Review Delays Up to 12 Business Days, Valve Mandates 5-Minute Pre-Launch Play

๋„ค์ด๋ฒ„๋‰ด์Šค ยท 2026.11.05

๐Ÿ“ฐ View original
2

2D Farm Sim 'Horse of Hoofprint Bay' Receives 99% Positive Reviews

๋„ค์ด๋ฒ„๋‰ด์Šค ยท 2026.11.05

๐Ÿ“ฐ View original
3

Steam Launch Reviews Delayed Amid AI Slop Controversy, Valve Moves to Improve Process

๋„ค์ด๋ฒ„๋‰ด์Šค ยท 2026.11.05

๐Ÿ“ฐ View original
4

Steam Strengthens Game Submission Reviews, Developers Must Play 5 Minutes Before Launch

๋„ค์ด๋ฒ„๋‰ด์Šค ยท 2026.11.05

๐Ÿ“ฐ View original

๐Ÿ“บ Reference Videos (5)

5

[Video] Steam Makes Gaming Worse

โ–ถInside Gamesยท2026.11.04

6

[Video] Free Steam PC Game and Steam Deals

โ–ถBigfryTVยท2026.11.04

7

[Video] AI Slop Is Taking Over Steam (Inside Games Daily)

โ–ถCultOfMushยท2026.11.04

8

[Video] Last Chance for All-Time Low Steam Game Deals

โ–ถCultOfMushยท2026.11.05

9

[Video] Steam Has a Slop Problem... And It's Getting Worse

โ–ถThioJoeยท2026.11.05

Comments 0

to comment Login