Valve explains why it's running behind on Steam game approvals, asks developers to perform basic release checks to prevent re-reviews

eurogamer.net Nov 5, 2026

Valve explains why it’s running behind on Steam game approvals, asks developers to perform basic release checks to prevent re-reviews

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Nov 5, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Valve announced that Steam’s game approval process is now taking up to 12 business days due to a surge in submissions and frequent re‑reviews. The company cited missing quality‑assurance checks as the main cause of delays and has tightened its release checklist. New requirements include a five‑minute Steam playthrough, explicit listing of redistributables, achievement readiness, cloud‑save detection, and updated store‑page rules. Valve urges developers to address these items upfront to avoid re‑reviews.

💡 Why It Matters

· The backlog threatens to stall indie launches, potentially delaying revenue streams and market visibility for new titles.
· By tightening pre‑submission checks, Valve aims to streamline approvals and reduce the risk of post‑release technical issues that could harm user experience.

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