What Steam Next Fest's AI Flood Means for Indie Devs

For players, Next Fest remains a place to discover standout demos, but they may need to dig harder. For devs, the event still offers a chance to shine if their game stands out, though the gamble is ri…

For players, Next Fest remains a place to discover standout demos, but they may need to dig harder. For devs, the event still offers a chance to shine if their game stands out, though the gamble is ri…

Key points - John 'Bucky' Buckley is head of publishing and communications at Palworld studio Pocketpair. - Buckley says Steam Next Fest has always been a gamble but remains worth taking for developers. - He argues AI slop is a problem but most low-effort games sink without attention, as before AI. - Next Fest typically focuses on about 25 games after the first 24 hours, Buckley notes. - Palworld: Side by Side update is scheduled for Winter 2026.

Timeline - 2021: Steam Next Fest begins, originally a niche event for demo enthusiasts. - Fall 2025: Current Steam Next Fest runs all week, featuring many AI-assisted releases. - Winter 2026: Palworld: Side by Side update releases.

FAQ

Q: Is Steam Next Fest still worth it for indie developers? A: According to Pocketpair's John Buckley, yes—it's always been a gamble, but one he believes is still worth taking despite increased competition and AI-generated games.

Q: How does AI affect Steam Next Fest? A: AI has added to the volume of low-effort games, but Buckley argues most of these sink without attention, just as asset-flips did before AI existed.

Q: What is Palworld: Side by Side? A: It's the next big update for Palworld, scheduled to release in Winter 2026.