Valve's Controversial Policy Shift

In a surprising move, Valve has tightened its grip on the Steam Early Access platform, declaring a ban on games that contain what they classify as "mature themes." This policy change has caught many developers off guard, including the studio Dammitbird, which was denied entry for its adult adventure title, Heavy Hearts.

Pressure from Payment Giants

The shift comes amid a significant pressure campaign from major payment processors like Mastercard and Visa, who have pushed Steam and competitors like Itch.io to eliminate certain adult-only content. Following the removal of the game No Mercy, instigated by these financial powerhouses and Australian anti-porn organizations, both platforms have seen an aggressive expansion of new constraints.

A Flood of Game Removals

Steam's vague updates led to a sweeping clause banning specific adult content, resulting in the removal of hundreds of titles from their marketplace. Itch.io followed suit, reportedly purging over 20,000 games, leaving indies reeling from the fallout.

Independent Developers in Turmoil

This policy shift has ignited frustration among independent game developers. Titles like VILE: Exhumed—a game that is largely text-based and minimally visually suggestive—have been unceremoniously banned despite their non-explicit nature, highlighting the increasingly arbitrary nature of enforcement.

The Payment Processing Puzzle

The complexities stem from how transactions are policed. Unlike direct contracts with Visa or Mastercard, platforms like Steam and Itch.io rely on acquiring banks that enforce brand-safety and anti-trafficking rules, leading to inconsistent policies depending on regional responses to the payment giants' demands.

A Call for Clarity and Reform

Until clearer guidelines emerge from both game platforms and payment processors, confusion and frustration will continue to plague developers and gamers. Engadget has reached out to Valve for clarification and will provide updates on this evolving situation.