Valve has introduced a new rule for mobile game development on Steam, citing concerns from payment processors about certain games violating their rules and standards. As a result, several adult games have been removed from the platform.
According to Valve, they were recently notified that some games on Steam may violate the rules and standards set forth by their payment processors and related card networks and banks. To address this issue, Valve is retiring those games from being sold on the Steam Store, as loss of payment methods would prevent customers from purchasing other titles and game content.
In a statement to GamingOnLinux, Valve explained that they are directly notifying developers of these games and issuing app credits if they have another game they'd like to distribute on Steam in the future.
The new rule has been added to the Onboarding guide for game developers, noting that payment processors get a say in what stays on Steam. Under the "What you shouldn’t publish on Steam" heading, Valve has clarified that content that may violate rules and standards set forth by payment processors, related card networks and banks, or internet network providers is not allowed.
This development comes as no surprise to many in the mobile game development community. Patreon has also faced issues with payment processors like PayPal in the past regarding adult content. However, it's surprising that payment processors haven't come down on Valve sooner for these types of games.
The removal of adult games from Steam raises concerns about censorship and the role of payment processors in dictating what can be sold on the platform. While some may argue that certain games are shovelware and don't belong on Steam, others believe that payment providers should not have a say in what content is allowed.
As the mobile game development industry continues to evolve, it's essential for developers and gamers alike to stay informed about changes in the market and their impact on our favorite games.