content regulation Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

New Horror Game Is Banned on Almost Every Major PC Storefront

A new Italian horror game, Horses, has been banned from major PC storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store, and Humble, due to its AO (Adults Only) rating. The developer, Santa Ragione, reported that Valve did not clearly communicate the reasons for the ban, and despite making content adjustments, Valve did not reassess the game. Epic Games Store cited the AO rating as the reason for their withdrawal of support, referencing violations of their policies on inappropriate and abusive content. Humble has not provided clarity on its reasons for the ban. Currently, Horses is available for purchase on GOG and Itch.io, where it has a user review score of 4.4 out of 5 on GOG.

AppWizard

July 19, 2025

GTA 5 finally launches in Saudi Arabia and the UAE 12 years after its global release — will be age-rated 21+ as part of the new regulatory framework

Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online have been officially released in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, receiving a new 21+ age rating from the General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council. This approval allows local gamers to purchase and enjoy the game legally, marking a shift towards more progressive content regulation in the region. Previously, the game was inaccessible due to its portrayal of violence, sex, and drug use. Over 90% of PC and console players in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt are over the age of 21, and the gaming market in these countries is projected to grow significantly by 2029. Additionally, Take-Two Interactive has established a partnership with the Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company for local distribution of its major franchises, including GTA V. The approval comes ahead of the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 on May 9, 2026, which is expected to launch in the region without previous regulatory delays. As of May 2025, GTA V has sold over 215 million copies worldwide.

AppWizard

July 4, 2025

Valve conquered PC gaming. What comes next?

Valve Corporation, founded in 1996 by Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, is known for its influential role in the gaming industry, particularly with its groundbreaking title Half-Life, released in 1998. The company has a unique corporate structure and impressive revenue-per-employee metrics, reportedly exceeding .9 million. Valve's Steam platform, launched in 2003, dominates the PC gaming market, accounting for approximately 70% of sales in a sector valued at around billion, with over 100,000 titles available. Steam had an estimated 170 million active monthly users by May 2023. Financially, estimates suggest Steam may have handled around .3 billion in game sales in 2021, yielding a profit of approximately .6 billion from commissions. Valve's employee culture emphasizes self-organization and innovation, though it faces scrutiny regarding content moderation and legal challenges related to market competition.

AppWizard

April 11, 2025

Zerat Games removes controversial visual novel from Steam

Developer Zerat Games has withdrawn its visual novel from the Steam platform to avoid complications with Valve, while defending the game's themes of incest and sexual violence as fetishes. The studio expressed understanding that some may find these themes disgusting but advocated for the exploration of desires without harm. The game's removal followed actions taken by Valve in the UK, Canada, and Australia, where UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the content as illegal and mentioned new regulatory measures being implemented. Zerat Games aims to promote dialogue on diverse expressions of human sexuality despite societal challenges.

AppWizard

August 27, 2024

Top 10 Messaging App Alternatives to Telegram

Instant messaging systems gained widespread adoption in the mid-to-late 1990s, evolving from basic platforms like AIM and ICQ to advanced applications such as WhatsApp. WhatsApp has a large user base and complies with regulatory standards, but some users have concerns about its privacy practices despite claims of end-to-end encryption. This has led to the popularity of alternatives like Telegram, which offers a “secret chat” feature with end-to-end encryption but faces scrutiny due to recent developments involving the European Union and its founder's arrest. Users have diverse needs in messaging apps, ranging from simple functionality to advanced features like large file sharing and group communications. The top ten alternatives to Telegram and WhatsApp include: 1. Signal: Launched in 2015, it has 40 million users by 2022, focusing on privacy with instant messaging, voice/video calls, and group chats limited to five participants. 2. Viber: Facilitates community engagement with groups of up to 1,000 members, offers end-to-end encryption, and allows calls to landlines and mobile numbers. 3. Google Chat: Launched in 2017, it supports one-on-one and group chats, requires invitations to connect, and integrates with Google services. 4. Slack: Popular for organizational communication since 2009, it supports various content types and requires integration for certain features. 5. Twitch: Primarily a live-streaming platform, it includes a chat feature ideal for building a following, especially in gaming. 6. Snapchat: Evolved from a photo-sharing app to a messaging platform known for disappearing messages, targeting a younger audience. 7. Microsoft Teams: A corporate communication tool supporting individual/group chats, integrating with Microsoft Office, and gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. 8. Mighty Pro: Allows users to create their own community-building apps, featuring live streaming and discussion forums. 9. Discord: Designed for gamers, it serves as both a forum and live-streaming platform, focusing on social interactions rather than business. 10. Geneva: Facilitates group video chats with customizable chat rooms and basic scheduling features.

AppWizard

August 14, 2024

Until Dawn – Official Comparison Trailer | PS5 & PC Games

GameSpot has implemented age verification measures that require users to confirm their date of birth before accessing certain video content. Users must enter their date of birth and agree to GameSpot's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy to gain access to restricted videos. This strategy aims to ensure compliance with legal standards and create a safe viewing environment.

AppWizard

July 31, 2024

Does anyone have the Minecraft vanilla texture keyart image?

There is growing concern about online content regulation, particularly following past interventions like COPPA on platforms such as YouTube. YouTube Kids was created to provide a safer viewing environment for children, but issues have arisen with content farms and bizarre video mashups. Videos featuring claymation characters in outlandish scenarios, such as Spiderman, Elsa, and Pomni, have raised questions about content moderation effectiveness. These videos, often violent and absurd, attract viewers and overshadow traditional gaming content that may have minor profanity. This situation highlights the need to examine content curation and the balance between creative expression and responsible content management.