Valve Tightens Steam Review Rules as Wait Times Hit 12 Days
Developers must now run their game on Steam for at least 5 minutes before submitting it for review, Valve said.
Valve has tightened its Steam submission requirements, telling developers they must now run a submitted game through Steam for at least 5 minutes before sending it for review. The platform operator confirmed the change as build and store page reviews stretch to as long as 12 business days, up from the usual 3 to 5.
The revised pre-release checklist also asks developers to verify that achievements are working and that required common components, including DirectX and the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, are included with the build.
Valve said most of the current delays come from games being sent back for re-review over basic functionality problems, and that it will keep working to improve the game build review process. The company did not say when review times will return to normal.
Backlog hits indie releases
The longer waits have already pushed back launches. Studio Daimon submitted the build for its indie game Food Devils on October 12, 2025, but had not received approval by its planned early access release date of November 3, 2025, according to The Verge. Indie title Wheel Make It had its release delayed by about two weeks for the same reason.
The new checklist is published through Steamworks, Valve's developer documentation and tools service.
Quick answers
How long does Steam review take now?
Valve says build and store page reviews are taking as long as 12 business days, compared with the usual 3 to 5.
What do developers have to do before submitting a Steam build?
They must run the game through Steam for at least 5 minutes, check that achievements work, and make sure components such as DirectX and the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable are included.