Valve has updated its rules regarding content that developers aren’t allowed to publish on Steam (as reported by Game*Spark). The “Rules and Guidelines” section of Steamworks Documentation now has an extra clause, and it suggests that publishers are required to comply with rules and standards set forth by various third parties involved in processing electronic payments. The rule seems to be predominantly related to adult content.
What you shouldn’t publish on Steam:
15. Content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam’s payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers. In particular, certain kinds of adult only content.
Prior to the update, the list included 14 clauses, prohibiting things like hate speech, malware, sexual content depicting real people and any form of exploitation of children. The new 15th clause suggests that Steam may additionally have to crack down on specific types of adult content in response to the requirements of payment processors and banks. There are currently no specific examples of what this may entail.
Update (2025/07/15 at 18:30 JST): According to SteamDB, a large number of games has been removed from the platform in the past 16 hours. Judging from the list, it appears “sex simulator” type games with keywords such as “incest” and “slavery” make up the majority. There are some confusing cases like the removal of the Ace Attorney-inspired investigation game Trails of Innocence, although this could be a coincidental deletion.
On a related note, various video game and manga hosting platforms in Japan have in recent years run into trouble with payment processors and credit card networks. Due to certain content on the platforms going against the (often undisclosed) rules and standards of third parties handling payments, the platforms ended up without support for credit card payment. This has led to loss of revenue and even the closure of platforms like Manga Library Z. It is possible that Steam’s new rule is a means to prevent such complications from arising, however, as the specific “rules and standards” of the payment processors are also unclear, publishers might need to be extra cautious with releasing their games on the platform.
Related articles: “It’s a security hole that endangers democracy itself.” NieR creator speaks out against payment processors pressuring Japanese adult content platforms
Updated Rules & Guidelines, so I guess Steam already went through thinking of this.
Sigh… I wish they realize how much of a restraing of freedom this is and push back.
What a shame, but this unfortunately benefits the ludicrous review process and rejection of certain kind of games they end up rejecting or stalling since they benefit these nonsense compliance standards to “protect the brand”
Hy!
Erstaunlich das jetzt plötzlich viele Spiele verschwinden, das ist ärgerlich. Das es wird dann wie im Android PlayStore werden, FSK 18 und trotzdem Zensiert, das nervt. Ein AI Chat habe ich runter geladen mit FSK 18 und wurde jetzt auf FSK 12 runter gestuft, das verstehe ich nicht. Ein 12 jähriger Mensch soll diesen Dienst 90€ zahlen müssen.
Bis den
Martin
I’m fine with this. That trash shouldn’t be on steam anyway. It should be in shady virus ridden back alleys of the internet, because games like that shouldn’t exist. Sex simulators, incest crap, slavery trash, gross preteen romance stuff doesn’t belong on mainstream platforms.
Congratulations. You fell for it. This is exactly what the people making those demands want you to think. It starts with stuff that may in fact be objectionable, but their real goal is getting everything banned they deem obscene or amoral. Which WILL eventually mean anything LGBTQ+ related. Censorship is NEVER a good thing.
So another one bites the dust uh? im really getting sick of all of this imagine finally being able to support all te things you consume (yes even THOSE) and then they re suddenly removed cos a couple of bakers decided to pretend to care… sadly If not mastercard or visa what you can do? this time luckily enough was only Paypal but as soon as them get moralist as well we are doomed, lets remind any cut on freedom even it seems like a fair purge at beginning could lead to more being in place and if we let this happen we soon be facing violent games being removed all together imagine only getting game sup to Teen rating just cos we cant afford to lose they card holders, I’m sick and had enough sadly I think nothing can be done in the short term just …
I’d honestly expect better from Valve from being one to include deliberately vague rules as it’s impossible for anyone to be able to know if they will fall victim to it or not, but I sadly guess that even the bullies of the payment progressing world is just too big/strong even for Valve to stand up to.
Sooner or later, they’ll come for something you regard as fine, but they think is obscene. The fact payment processors can make these threats means they need to be hit with anti-trust lawsuits. Payment Processors shouldn’t be in the business of determining what products you can or cannot buy.
This isn’t even a rule, or a guideline or anything, it’s complete tyranny. It says literally ANYTHING payment processors don’t like for ANY reason or no reason, will be removed. There’s no process, no arguing the case of artistic merit, nothing. If they want it gone, it’s gone, doesn’t matter what it is.
Anyone who thinks this stops at content they dislike is a fool, this kind of broad stroke capitulation will be weaponized to destroy free speech and art on the platform
Brr… feels like a chilling effect in here.
Could you guys focus on banning porn instead and leave steam alone? Y’all don’t even play games
It’s like the North Korean dictatorship.
Some people will make an adult games shop with crypto payment or other unregulated methods of payment and they’ll get rich ’cause porn sells. The bad news? It will be even harder to regulate and control the content, quality, user data, personal security, etc.
The payment processors are idiots. They’re going to get sued by the shareholders. The processors only make money if people buy things, and putting restrictions on purchasing is not in the best interest of the shareholders.