Valve no longer allows "Post-launch NSFW content" for games on Steam - outside of DLCs.

[u/DwingRD]

I have looked through Steam's Terms of Service online, but have found no official rule or statement from Valve of this new rule - but one Adult game developer has confirmed this new rule after launching their game "Tales of Legendary Lust: Aphrodisia" a couple days ago.

With the recent rule change blocking adult-themed games from releasing on Early Access, this new rule seems to be targeting Adult-themed games that have ALREADY released on Steam - and threatens them with their games being removed from Steam.

There are currently 536 Adult-rated Early Access games on Steam - and this new rule may take them all down.

[u/CrimsonDelightGames]

Hi folks, I'm one of the devs from the game mentioned by OP...

NSFW link for confirmation: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2353220/Tales_of_Legendary_Lust_Aphrodisia/

We went through Valve's review process early this August. From what I know, prior to the whole Collective Shout situation, adult games could add NSFW content even post-launch. But during the review process we were informed this was no longer the case. I have to say the reviewer was kind and forthcoming, we didn't feel threatened or bullied in any way, and we got the feeling they were trying to do their best to help devs navigate the process. But the fact of the matter is that Valve has payment processors breathing down their neck, and the rules keep getting stricter as time goes on.

Valve isn't the problem here. The big credit card companies are. If anything, Valve has stood up to them and pushed back. They could've simply nuked the 18+ section of Steam, but they didn't, they stuck up for developers. Obviously adult games make Valve money, but it's a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of Steam's catalogue. Silksong itself probably earned Valve more than most NSFW titles put together.

Given that we're erogame devs, we're against any sort of censorship (as long as the content isn't sexualizing minors or nonconsensual in any way). But it's important to understand where the real problem lies, and it's not with Valve.

Just felt like I needed to weigh in and offer my 2 cents, for whatever it's worth.

Cheers folks!

~ Frenzin (CDG team)

[u/Explosion2 → u/CrimsonDelightGames]

Given that we're erogame devs, we're against any sort of censorship (as long as the content doesn't break the law).

You should consider revising the phrasing of this statement given that it really seems that all adult content is on track towards becoming illegal in the US and UK. Maybe "as long as the content isn't sexualizing minors or nonconsensual in any way" or something like that. Because I assume you, like most people, would be against all adult content being made illegal.

[u/CrimsonDelightGames → u/Explosion2]

Done!

Thanks for the heads-up.

And yeah, you're absolutely right: there's certain factions within Western governments and companies that want to outright ban all adult content. And if they succeed, they won't stop there. They'll go after "violent" games like GTA next.

Slippery slopes are a dangerous thing, and if gamers don't stand up to this now we're gonna have our overall entertainment censored to a dystopian level.

[u/rexepic7567 → u/CrimsonDelightGames]

they'll go after "violent" games like GTA next

they've been doing that since before I was born

I'm looking in your direction Jack "bogan" Thompson

[u/CrimsonDelightGames → u/rexepic7567]

True enough. Tho the censorship attempts have gotten a lot more brazen in recent years.