content policies Archives

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Saturnalia creators Santa Ragione will “wind down operations” after Valve ban horror game Horses from Steam

Santa Ragione, the developers of Saturnalia and Wheels of Aurelia, may close their studio following Valve's refusal to list their upcoming horror game, Horses, on Steam. The rejection was based on an unfinished build submitted in 2023, deemed inappropriate due to its themes and imagery, specifically concerning content that could be interpreted as depicting sexual conduct involving a minor. Horses, which combines surreal body horror with silent cinema techniques, is set to launch on December 2nd on Epic, GOG, the Humble Store, and Itch. The developers initially submitted a rough version of Horses for Steam approval about two years ago, which was rejected after an automated review in June 2023. They have sought clarification from Valve and expressed willingness to modify any unsuitable elements but have not received a response. Santa Ragione clarified that all characters in Horses are over 20 years old and that while the game includes sexual elements, the intent is to provoke discussion rather than arousal. Having invested around 0,000 into Horses, Santa Ragione faces financial difficulties, as the anticipated funding from sales of Saturnalia did not materialize. They have raised remaining funds through private contributions, making them reliant on the success of Horses. The ban on Horses is seen as part of a broader trend of delisting adult content from platforms, but Santa Ragione argues that their game has been unjustly censored compared to other media platforms.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

A YouTuber claims they’ve had two Windows 11 local account and hardware bypass videos taken down because of supposedly ‘harmful or dangerous content’

YouTube has tightened its content moderation policies regarding videos that provide workarounds for installing Windows 11, leading to the removal of two videos by YouTuber CyberCPU Tech. These videos included tutorials on bypassing Windows 11's requirements, such as installing the OS without a Microsoft account and on unsupported hardware. YouTube's rationale for the removals was that the content promotes "dangerous or illegal activities," a claim that has been met with skepticism from the community. CyberCPU Tech initially believed Microsoft was not involved but later attributed some responsibility to them. Despite the removals, similar videos remain on the platform, indicating inconsistent enforcement of policies. The ambiguity in YouTube's moderation practices has caused creators to self-censor, and the appeals process remains unclear, with automated systems flagging content while human evaluators make final decisions. Tools like Rufus are still available for users seeking alternatives for customizing their PC experience.

AppWizard

September 21, 2025

Developer of NSFW games says Valve won’t let them add adult content in updates, now it has to be DLC

In recent months, adult game developers have faced challenges due to pressure from the anti-porn advocacy group Collective Shout on payment processors, leading to stricter policies on the distribution of erotic games (eroge). A developer from Crimson Delight reported on Reddit that they can no longer add new adult content to existing titles on Steam unless it is released as downloadable content (DLC), a shift from previous practices. Despite a positive review experience, the developer noted that Valve is under pressure from payment processors, resulting in stricter rules for adult content. This change impacts developers like those behind Summertime Saga, who rely on community feedback for new content, as it requires that additions be fully completed before release. Crimson Delight does not blame Valve for these changes, acknowledging that adult games contribute only a small fraction to Steam's overall earnings. Additionally, attempts to use cryptocurrency payments to bypass restrictions have been hindered by past fraud issues, with 50% of such transactions being fraudulent during a 2016 experiment.