Guide

Capsule art rules and Artwork Overrides

Your capsule art has to be the right size, but it also has to follow Valve's content rules. Break them and your game loses store visibility and can't be featured in official sales. Here's what's allowed on each asset, and the one sanctioned way to put update or event text on a capsule.

The rule for store capsules

The base header, small, main and vertical capsules can contain three things: game artwork, the game's name, and an official subtitle. Nothing else.

Not allowedExamples
Review scores"Overwhelmingly Positive", "9/10 – IGN", star ratings, from Steam or the press
AwardsAward names, laurel wreaths, festival logos
Discount copy"On Sale Now", "-75%", "Free Weekend"
Other productsPromoting a sequel, another game in the franchise, or any other title
Anything elseTaglines, feature call-outs ("Now with co-op!"), platform or store badges
Games that break these rules may have their visibility limited and become ineligible for featuring in official Steam sales and events. That's the Summer Sale spotlight, gone.

Library assets

AssetAllowed
Library capsule (600×900)Must include your logo. A subtitle is fine. No other text.
Library hero (3840×1240)Artwork only. No words at all, not even the title.
Library logo (1280×720)Only your logotype, plus an optional logomark, on a transparent background.

Every capsule, store or library, must also have a readable logo or name, exact dimensions, and PG-13 appropriate art.

Artwork Overrides: the legal way to add text

If you want capsules to announce a big update, a seasonal event, a battle pass or a DLC, you use an Artwork Override: a temporary set of capsules that replaces your defaults for a fixed window, then reverts on its own.

1
Only for new content

The only extra text allowed is wording about a major update, seasonal event, battle pass, DLC or similar new content. Reviews and awards still aren't allowed.

2
One month maximum

Overrides that include text can run for at most one month.

3
Localize the text

Any text must be translated into at least every language your game supports. Overrides accept localized uploads like normal capsules.

4
Set it up

In your store page's Graphical Assets tab, choose Create a new Artwork Override, name it, set start and end times, save, upload the images and publish. At the end time Steam switches back automatically.

Pairing an override with a sale? Start the override about 5 minutes before the discount so the new art is picked up by the wishlist email. The main capsule is the one used in wishlist emails, and the header capsule shows in the Daily Deal slot and many store lists.

Where reviews and awards go instead

Press quotes, review scores and awards each have dedicated spaces on your store page (Store Page Accolades in Steamworks). Put them there, where players expect to find them.

Screenshots have rules too

RuleDetail
Gameplay onlyNo concept art, pre-rendered cinematic stills, awards, marketing copy or feature text. Menus only if they're a real part of the experience.
Count and sizeAt least 5, at 1920×1080 minimum, 16:9.
Suitable for all agesMark at least 4 screenshots as suitable for all ages. Without enough flagged, your game can miss places like front-page hover previews, even if it otherwise qualifies.
Localized versionsDrag a translated version onto an existing screenshot's thumbnail. A language suffix in the filename helps Steam match it, e.g. shot1_japanese.jpg.
Next step: build compliant capsules in the capsule generator, then check every size in the asset validator.