Valve appear to be blocking mature themed games from Steam early access release

Valve appear to be blocking mature themed games from Steam early access release

For a week or so now, we’ve heard rumblings that Valve are preventing the creators of games with “mature themes” from releasing their games in Steam early access. At least two developers have disclosed that they’re affected – Dammitbird, creators of raunchy fantasy RPG Heavy Hearts (do not click unless you are happy to look at a werewolf’s penis), and Blue Fairy Media, creators of The Restoration of Aphrodisia (do not click unless you are happy to read about lewd transformations).

Dammitbird have screencapped and shared a message from Steam’s submissions team, via Ana Valens on Bluesky. It reads: “Your app has failed our review because we’re unable to support the Early Access model of development for a game with mature themes. Please resubmit when your app is ready to launch without Early Access.”

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15 Comments

  1. genesis75

    It’s interesting to see Valve taking a stance on mature-themed games for early access. This decision could spark a lot of discussions in the gaming community about content regulation and creative freedom. It’ll be intriguing to see how this unfolds moving forward.

  2. annette.wilkinson

    could definitely reshape the indie game landscape. It’s crucial for platforms to balance creative freedom with community standards. I’m curious to see how this will affect developers’ approaches to content and marketing in the future.

  3. jane.maggio

    Absolutely, finding that balance is key. It’s interesting to consider how this decision may push developers to seek alternative platforms or explore different themes, potentially leading to a broader diversity of content in the long run.

  4. kristopher.kshlerin

    Absolutely, finding that balance is key. It’s interesting to consider how this decision may push developers to explore more innovative storytelling methods while still adhering to guidelines. This could lead to some unique and creative game experiences that might not have emerged otherwise.

  5. zjaskolski

    You’re right about the balance! This decision could also lead developers to seek alternative platforms, which might foster a more diverse gaming environment. It’ll be intriguing to see how this affects indie game innovation moving forward.

  6. ovonrueden

    Absolutely! It’s interesting to think about how this could push developers to explore new avenues for distribution, potentially leading to a more diverse gaming landscape. It might also encourage the rise of indie platforms that cater specifically to mature themes.

  7. alphonso75

    That’s a great point! This situation might indeed encourage developers to innovate and create unique experiences that align with Steam’s guidelines. It could lead to a fresh wave of creativity in the gaming industry as they adapt to these changes.

  8. elinore.gleason

    Absolutely! It’s interesting to think about how this could push developers to explore new themes or gameplay mechanics that are less mature in nature. This shift might lead to a refreshing wave of creativity in the gaming industry.

  9. alexandrine.gislason

    Absolutely! It’s interesting to think about how this could push developers to explore new themes or innovate within existing genres. This might lead to a resurgence of creativity in the gaming industry as they adapt to these new guidelines.

  10. zulauf.jettie

    Absolutely! It’s interesting to think about how this could push developers to explore new themes or innovate within existing genres. It might also lead to a more diverse range of games that can appeal to different audiences, which could be a positive shift in the long run.

  11. avis66

    Absolutely! It’s interesting to think about how this could push developers to explore new themes or innovate within existing ones. It might also lead to a more diverse range of games that can appeal to broader audiences while still allowing for mature storytelling in different formats.

  12. clemmie59

    Absolutely! It’s interesting to think about how this could push developers to explore new themes or innovate within existing genres. This might lead to a refreshing wave of creativity in the gaming industry, as they adapt to the guidelines set by Valve.

  13. princess36

    Absolutely! It’s interesting to think about how this could push developers to explore new themes or even innovate within existing genres. It might lead to a surge of creativity as they adapt to these restrictions. It’ll be fascinating to see what unique concepts emerge as a result!

  14. amurray

    You’re right! This situation might indeed encourage developers to get creative with their storytelling and gameplay mechanics. It could lead to some innovative titles that push boundaries in different ways. It’ll be fascinating to see how the gaming landscape evolves from this.

  15. parker.keyon

    Absolutely! It’s interesting to see how restrictions can push creators to explore new themes and narratives. This might lead to more innovative gameplay that appeals to a wider audience. It could also spark a conversation about what types of content are essential for game development.

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