An unprecedented survey focused on the digital games market demonstrated that the number of titles based on automated tools grew dramatically in the Valve store. However, this flood of new projects is not guaranteeing money in creators’ pockets. When evaluating a catalog of more than 53 thousand works, the research highlighted a cruel commercial scenario, which severely punishes smaller studios.

Conducted by Sulka Haro, former main designer of the classic Habbo Hotel and now executive director of Mainframe Industries — developer of the MMO Pax Dei —, the mapping tracked products made available between mid-2023 and July 2026. The executive highlights that the work works as an absolute census of the sector, discarding sample estimates to deliver a faithful portrait of how automation affects the industry.

On the same topic: Former Rockstar developer explains why GTA VI will take a while to reach PCs

The impact of the new transparency rules on the volume of publications

From 2024 onwards, when the owner of Steam started to force studios to publicly declare the use of generative algorithms, the dynamics of the digital storefront underwent a radical transformation. Traditional projects, without the use of these tools, jumped from an average of 1,030 to 1,320 monthly launches. On the other hand, works that use automation already reach the mark of 530 additions each month, showing a much faster pace of expansion and revealing a trend that was previously hidden behind the scenes of development.

• During 2024, software supported by algorithms represented 10.9% of everything that arrived in the store.
• During 2025, this market share jumped to 19.9%.
• Upon reaching 2026, the index reached 30.8%, which means that practically one in every three recent launches on the platform carries some trace of automation.

According to Haro’s observations, depending on the time frame analyzed, the presence of artificial intelligence is responsible for a share that varies from 60% to 90% of all monthly growth recorded in the Steam catalog.

The Harsh Financial Reality Behind the Flood of New Bonds

Even with virtual shelves full of new products, financial returns continue to be a privilege for very few. The report highlights an alarming statistic: just 1% of the gaming elite — regardless of how they were programmed — capture around 94% of all revenue generated in the ecosystem. This data, calculated based on the volume of reviews left by consumers, reinforces the thesis that the Valve store operates under a logic of attention monopoly, where blockbusters suffocate independent productions.

More on this story: Former Rockstar employee points out possible delay in the release of GTA 6

• In the first three months of 2026, automated games made up 28% of the premiere catalog, but captured a mere 17% of projected revenue.
• Between April and June of the same year, the gap widened: they jumped to 33% of new releases, while the revenue share plummeted to just 10%.

Isolated success stories show the power of big budgets

Despite the pessimistic scenario, the year 2025 registered a point outside the curve. During the last quarter of that calendar, the collection of titles with automation reached 27%, surpassing the launch rate for the period, which was 25%. This spike in profitability was driven by the resounding success of Arc Raiders, created by Embark Studios, which adopted the use of procedural generation. Another giant mentioned in the survey is Crimson Desert, from Pearl Abyss, proving that long-term projects can monetize these innovations well.

Such exceptions indicate that algorithms work perfectly when inserted into the workflows of giant corporations, which have dozens of employees and well-defined goals, as well as time and money to spare. It is clear, therefore, that commercial triumph does not simply derive from the adoption of cutting-edge software.

The illusion of automation as a salvation for independent developers

When detailing the results, Sulka Haro makes a point of pointing out that the bad numbers do not mean that the public hates the technology. The executive argues that automated resources are just working instruments and that building a memorable experience still requires human talents guided by strong creative direction. The survey makes it clear that the overwhelming majority of projects that depend on these innovations today are born in the hands of tiny teams.

Historically, these small groups have already struggled to gain visibility on Steam, with or without the help of robots. Although modernization allows you to code and design assets in record time, it is far from being a magical solution to a lack of budget. For independent creators, agility in production does not compensate for the lack of polish, the lack of original ideas and the almost insurmountable barrier of standing out in a store that receives dozens of new products every day.