Steam Maker Valve Reports Slower Game Approval Times Due to Higher Submission Volume

Game platform Valve now takes up to 12 business days to review game submissions, missing its typical window of three to five days.

Delays And Changes

Valve noted a large rise in store and store page reviews in recent months, leading to delays that have caused some developers to miss their planned launch dates. To reduce time-consuming re-reviews caused by basic functional problems, Valve introduced new steps for the release checklist. Developers must now run their games through Steam for at least five minutes before submitting, as Valve sometimes receives builds that have never been tested through the platform. Additional rules require creators to verify that achievements are fully ready and confirm any necessary common software files like DirectX or Visual C++ that the system might need to install. Valve stated that further updates to the review process are currently in development.

Context

Digital game storefronts manage high volumes of daily software uploads from independent studios and large publishers alike. Ensuring that every submitted build meets basic technical standards helps maintain platform stability for players downloading new titles.