In a recent development, Valve has addressed concerns surrounding its Steam platform, particularly regarding the removal of adult-only games. The company has clarified its position following reports that certain titles were being targeted due to compliance issues with payment processors.
Valve’s Clarification on Game Removals
According to a press release shared with various gaming outlets, including GamingOnLinux and Rock Paper Shotgun, Valve stated, “We were recently notified that certain games on Steam may violate the rules and standards set forth by our payment processors and their related card networks and banks.” This statement sheds light on the ongoing scrutiny that adult-themed games are facing in the digital marketplace.
In just a span of two days, SteamDB has recorded over 100 games marked as “retired” from Valve’s storefront, many of which contain adult content. The swift action taken by Valve indicates that this is not a singular incident but rather part of a broader initiative to ensure compliance with banking standards.
The timing of these removals has left many in the gaming community feeling uncertain. A recent discussion on Reddit highlights this confusion, with users expressing their bewilderment over the rationale behind the payment processors’ stance on adult games. One user remarked, “I don’t even understand what issues payment processors have with porn games,” while others noted that many of the affected titles include controversial themes, such as “incest.”
As the situation continues to unfold, the extent of the impact on developers remains unclear. However, the rapid pace of removals suggests that a significant number of creators may be affected. The gaming community watches closely, eager to see how this will shape the landscape of adult content on digital platforms moving forward.
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