Fury over rape and incest game that tells players to be ‘women’s worst nightmare’, as Tech Secretary slams PC giant

The following story contains reference to sexual assault, violence against women and misogyny.

In a troubling development for the gaming industry, the largest PC gaming platform has come under scrutiny for hosting a controversial title. The game, “No Mercy,” features a male lead whose narrative encourages players to adopt a predatory mindset, promoting themes of violence and non-consensual acts. This unsettling portrayal has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who has labeled the game as “deeply worrying” and has called for its removal from the platform.

Launched on Steam just last month, “No Mercy” is described by its developers as containing elements of violence, incest, and blackmail, alongside what they term “unavoidable non-consensual sex.” Despite its disturbing content, the game has garnered a surprising number of favorable reviews from users on the platform.

Access to the game requires a payment method, yet the age verification process appears to be alarmingly lax. Campaigners have raised concerns that children could easily circumvent these checks. Will Guyatt, LBC’s tech correspondent, expressed disbelief at the game’s availability, noting that there are approximately 3.5 million active Steam accounts in the UK. He highlighted the ease with which he was able to create a Steam account, simply by affirming that he was over 18, and subsequently downloading “No Mercy” for £9.99.

Child mental health expert Nova Eden emphasized the misconceptions many parents hold regarding platforms like Steam, often viewing them as safe environments akin to game shops or social networks. In reality, Steam is not affiliated with any established age-rating frameworks, such as PEGI, which provide consumers with essential information regarding video game content. This lack of regulation allows anyone to upload games, placing them alongside titles from reputable developers.

Despite LBC’s report to Steam regarding the game’s inappropriate content five days ago, it remains available for purchase. This situation raises significant questions about Ofcom’s capacity to effectively moderate online content. Although the regulator has initiated efforts to combat harmful material as part of the Government’s Online Safety Act, it has stated that it cannot investigate individual complaints. This is particularly concerning given the remarks made by Ofcom’s chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, who underscored the need for a safer online experience for under-18s.

As the discourse surrounding the Online Safety Bill continues to evolve, Mr. Kyle has reiterated the expectation that tech companies act swiftly to remove harmful content once alerted. He has called for Ofcom to assess whether “No Mercy” should remain accessible on the platform, emphasizing the regulator’s role in enforcing standards.

A spokesperson for the Games Rating Authority clarified that while physical game releases must carry a PEGI age rating by law, digital games are not subject to the same requirement. Although Steam allows for optional PEGI ratings, it is not mandated prior to a game’s release, leaving a significant gap in consumer protection.

As the gaming community grapples with the implications of such titles, the conversation around content moderation and the responsibilities of platforms like Steam is more critical than ever.