Steam has quietly introduced a new policy that restricts certain adult content on its platform, apparently in response to demands from payment processors like Visa and Mastercard. This update matters because it affects developers of adult games, who now face unclear guidelines and the potential for removal of their titles.
The rule itself is vaguely worded. Valve states it prohibits “content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam’s payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers.” The phrase “certain kinds of adult-only content” is mentioned without further explanation, leaving developers unsure which content might be affected.
Valve hasn’t offered additional clarity yet, but the timing of this policy correlates with the sudden removal of many incest-themed adult games from Steam’s store. According to SteamDB, several games in the Interactive Sex and Sex Adventures series disappeared abruptly. However, some incest-themed games remain available, which raises questions about whether these removals were automated or part of a targeted action.
Steam has added a new rule disallowing games that violate the rules and standards set forth by payment processors and card networks, or internet network providers.At the same time, many incest themed games were removed from the store.
It’s understandable that Valve wants to keep Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal happy to avoid payment disruptions for users. However, this new policy echoes the financial pressures seen on platforms like OnlyFans, Tumblr, and Patreon, where adult content has faced crackdowns due to credit card companies’ reluctance to be associated with explicit material.
Visa and Mastercard’s tightening stance on adult content gained momentum after controversies like the 2020 PornHub scandal, where the platform was found hosting harmful and illegal content. This led both companies to end service to PornHub despite the site’s efforts to clean up.
The fear now is that Steam’s policy could extend beyond obvious adult content and start affecting queer and transgressive games. Some voices, like NoahFuel_Gaming, warn that financial gatekeeping might disproportionately impact LGBTQ+ creators, as queer content is often flagged as explicit or controversial even when it’s not sexually graphic.
Valve’s move raises tricky questions about where the line is drawn on acceptable content. It also highlights how dependent creators have become on payment systems that may impose their own moral judgments. The uncertainty leaves devs and players wondering what might come next.
