right-wing groups

An August 2025 paper published in Frontiers in Psychology by Alex Bradley-Newhouse and Rachel Kowert reveals that neo-fascist groups are increasingly using the gaming platform Steam to recruit members and harass opposing entities. These groups label their targets as "enemies" and their allies as supportive, indicating a troubling trend of right-wing extremism gaining traction on the platform. The study criticizes Steam's moderation systems as inadequate, noting that bad actors frequently create new accounts and obscure fascist symbols. Popular games among these communities include Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Hearts of Iron 4, the latter attracting players due to its World War II theme and modding capabilities that facilitate extremist ideologies. Valve's content moderation is described as inconsistent, with banned groups often reemerging and celebrating their ability to evade bans. Despite increased bans following a 2024 report from the Anti-Defamation League, extremist groups remain easily discoverable through Steam's social features. Valve's longstanding policy allows a wide range of content, raising questions about the effectiveness of its moderation.