Revisiting Threes' Cloning by 2028: Why Devs Can't Rely on "the Best Version Available" to Fight Copycats, and Why We'll Lose Creative Indie Games to a Chilling Effect

Valve responded to requests for an AI filter and less AI slop on Steam by saying developers must make good ideas that can't be easily copied. Valve has historically avoided aggressive DRM and anti-piracy measures, preferring to make the legitimate version the best version available, and it views AI cloning the same way. The piece revisits Threes being cloned by the ad-supported free-to-play 1048 and argues Valve's stance will stifle creativity and hurt indie developers, saying Steam should at least offer customers a filter.