GoKawiilValve tightens Steam submission checklist amid review backlog
Valve said it has seen a sharp rise in submissions for store and page review in recent months, pushing review times up to 12 business days instead of the usual 3-5. The company attributes much of the delay to repeated re-reviews and is updating its release checklist, now requiring developers to test builds by running them through Steam for at least five minutes, verifying achievements, and confirming necessary redistributables like DirectX or Visual C++.
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The backlog has reportedly caused some indie developers to miss planned launch dates, highlighting how platform bottlenecks can directly affect smaller studios with less flexibility. Valve's checklist changes suggest an attempt to reduce avoidable errors that trigger re-reviews, which could shorten approval times if developers comply, though the fix's effectiveness remains to be seen. Valve says further improvements to the review process are still being developed.
- Steam review times have risen to as much as 12 business days from a typical 3-5.
- Valve blames much of the delay on repeated re-reviews caused by basic errors.
- New checklist rules require testing builds directly through Steam and verifying achievements and redistributables.
Valve Steam Deck OLED — Since this story is all about the Steam ecosystem and the flood of new game submissions, it's a great reminder of how many titles you'll soon have to play on the go. The Steam Deck OLED lets you dive straight into your Steam library, including all those indie gems working their way through review, with a vivid screen and smooth handheld performance. It's the perfect companion device for anyone following Valve's platform closely.
See Valve Steam Deck OLED on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Jay Peters, 2026-11-03
Published there as: “Valve is making changes to deal with a ‘significant increase’ in Steam game submissions”
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