Steam, the world’s leading PC game storefront, is now under fire for a growing wave of shovelware and stolen content that’s drawing comparisons to long-standing issues on other digital platforms like the PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop.
While low-effort games have long been a thorn in the side of digital marketplaces, the widespread accessibility of generative AI tools has significantly escalated the situation. Developers and players alike are now reporting an alarming increase in titles that recycle pre-made assets or, worse, illegally copy games from platforms like Itch.io and re-upload them to Steam under false authorship.
Asset Flips and AI Tools Fuel the Flood
The problem isn’t just about low-quality game releases. Asset flips—games slapped together with store-bought or reused content—are being masked as original works, often using AI-generated art to confuse consumers. This practice not only clutters storefronts but also undermines genuine indie developers trying to break through the noise with legitimate, innovative projects.
Steam’s latest controversy involves a mysterious publisher operating under names like “me” or “myself,” who has reportedly published around 70 games—many of them direct clones of titles made by small developers on Itch.io.
Indie Devs Hit Hard by Game Theft
Among the most shocking examples are HardCop 2 by Tokagrien, Dungeon Minesweeper Chronicles by Aftertea_time, and Open Star Fighter by thelastflapjack. All three were reportedly stolen from Itch.io and re-released on Steam without the original creators’ permission.
Though some of the affected titles have since been removed, the response has been largely reactive. Valve has only taken action following formal complaints from developers, rather than proactively curating or verifying the publisher’s activities. Even more concerning is that the offending publisher’s account remains active on the platform, despite multiple confirmed thefts.
A Widespread Problem Across Platforms
While Steam is currently in the spotlight, it’s not alone in facing these issues. Sony’s PlayStation Store and Nintendo’s eShop have both dealt with backlash over shovelware and low-effort releases cluttering their ecosystems. However, the outright theft of games from indie platforms and their resale on Steam adds a serious layer of misconduct that sets this case apart.
As it stands, the onus falls largely on indie developers and vigilant community members to identify and report stolen or misleading titles. Until Valve steps in with a stricter content moderation policy or a more robust vetting system, legitimate creators remain vulnerable to exploitation, and Steam’s reputation as a trusted storefront continues to take damage.
Industry observers and developers are now urging Valve to acknowledge the severity of the situation and take firm action to address this breach of trust—not only for the sake of creators but for the health of the gaming ecosystem as a whole.
