Valve, the operator of the widely used PC gaming platform Steam, has recently implemented significant changes to its content guidelines. These revisions could lead to the removal of a substantial amount of “adult-only” content from its storefront.
In a subtle update to its terms, Valve has now stipulated that “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card networks and banks, or internet network providers,” particularly “certain kinds of adult-only content,” should not be published on Steam.
This strategic move, which empowers banks and financial institutions with an unprecedented level of influence over content on the platform, appears to be a concession to Valve`s payment processing partners. This tactic, while relatively new to the gaming industry, has previously been utilized in other sectors to target explicit or adult-oriented platforms, such as OnlyFans.
Already, this alteration to Steam`s guidelines has resulted in the removal of several games from the store. Responding to an inquiry from GamingOnLinux, Valve confirmed that it had been notified of certain games not complying with the new standards enforced by its payment processors. The company explained, “As a result, we are retiring those games from being sold on the Steam Store, because loss of payment methods would prevent customers from being able to purchase other titles and game content on Steam. We are directly notifying developers of these games, and issuing app credits should they have another game they’d like to distribute on Steam in the future.”
This policy pivot aligns with a broader trend across various digital storefronts, including Nintendo eShop and Steam, to curb what has been recently termed “slop” content. Many of these titles, which often blatantly mimic popular games in aesthetics and naming conventions while featuring sexual or adult content, have proliferated over recent months. It is widely believed that these games are often quickly produced by developers leveraging generative AI and large language models to create content that merely imitates successful titles.
However, the language used in the updated guidelines remains notably vague, leaving considerable room for interpretation, which could have serious repercussions. For instance, there is no clear definition of what “kinds of adult-only content” are now deemed impermissible on Steam. Moreover, while the guidelines emphasize that payment processors are enforcing new rules, the specific standards set by these companies are not explicitly clarified.
Despite many “slop” games featuring explicit content, a significant number of developers also create high-quality, adult-only games that explore similar themes responsibly. These recent changes place many of these legitimate developers at risk of being penalized or even removed from one of the world`s largest digital gaming distribution platforms.