Steam’s New Rules Let Banks Regulate Adult Content
▼ Summary
– Steam updated its guidelines to restrict adult content that violates rules set by payment processors, banks, and internet providers.
– The change aims to appease payment processors and mirrors tactics used against platforms like OnlyFans.
– Several games have already been removed from Steam for violating the new standards, with affected developers receiving app credits.
– The policy shift targets “slop” games—low-quality, often AI-generated titles with sexual content that mimic popular games.
– The updated guidelines lack clarity on what specific adult content is banned, leaving developers uncertain about potential penalties.
Steam’s latest policy update could dramatically reshape its adult content offerings, as the platform now allows financial institutions to influence what games appear on the store. Valve quietly amended its guidelines, stating that content violating standards set by payment processors, banks, or internet providers—particularly adult material—may no longer be permitted.
This shift effectively hands significant control to financial partners, a strategy previously seen in industries like adult entertainment. Already, several games have been removed from Steam following warnings from payment processors. Valve explained that failing to comply could jeopardize payment methods for all users, impacting sales across the platform. Affected developers are being notified and offered credits for future releases.
The move coincides with a broader crackdown on low-effort, AI-generated games flooding digital storefronts. Often mimicking popular titles while incorporating explicit content, these so-called “slop” games have surged in recent months. While many target these problematic releases, the policy’s vague wording raises concerns. The guidelines don’t specify which types of adult content are banned or detail the exact standards imposed by payment providers.
This ambiguity leaves legitimate developers in limbo. Many create mature-themed games with artistic or narrative depth, yet they now face potential removal from one of gaming’s largest marketplaces. Without clearer definitions, the policy risks sweeping up both exploitative content and thoughtful adult-oriented projects alike. The long-term impact on Steam’s ecosystem—and the developers who rely on it—remains uncertain.
(Source: GAMESPOT)
