Valve's New Steam Policy Sparks Frustration Among NSFW Game Developers

Information column from PC Gamer:

The developer of a Not Safe For Work (NSFW) game recently took to Reddit to express their frustration with Valve's new policy regarding adult content on Steam. According to the developer, Valve will no longer allow NSFW games to add adult content through updates, instead requiring them to be released as separate DLC, which must undergo the same review process as a new game.

This change in policy has significant implications for developers of adult games, who often rely on piecemeal development and community feedback to shape their games. Games like Summertime Saga, for example, frequently add new characters and storylines in response to community demand, a process that would be severely hindered by the need for each addition to be complete and reviewed before publication.

The developer, who goes by the name Crimson Light, does not blame Valve for this change, acknowledging that the company has a responsibility to navigate complex issues around content moderation. They note that Valve has chosen to continue to support adult games on Steam, despite the potential risks and liabilities, and that these games, while not a major revenue stream, do contribute to the platform's overall income.

It's worth noting that Valve has experimented with alternative payment methods in the past, including cryptocurrency, but ultimately shut down this option due to high levels of fraud ← →

"From what I know," they wrote on Reddit, "prior to the whole Collective Shout situation, adult games could add NSFW content even post-launch.

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