Steam Partly Backtracks on Crackdown on Games with Adult Content, Retracts Deadline for Censorship

Giuseppe Nelva May 19, 2018 7:48 PM EST

After a couple of rather tense days for independent visual novel developers, it appears that Steam is taking a softer approach to the issue.

Yesterday reports surfaced about several warnings sent by Valve to multiple developers of games (mostly visual novels featuring anime-like art styles) including mild adult content on the Steam digital download platform.

The developers involved faced demands to further censor the mild adult content featured in their games, or see them removed from the storefront altogether.

Just a few moments ago, many of the developers that have reported the warnings took to Twitter to reveal that Valve has reached out advising them to disregard the previous communication.

The folks behind Steam are currently reviewing the affected games for content and will provide more specific feedback at a later date. In the meanwhile, the deadline before which the development teams were demanded to further censor their titles has been retracted.

Below you can read comments from HuniePop developer HuniePot, Galaxy Girls and Battle Girls developer Dharker Studios, Mutiny!! developer Lupiesoft, Tropical Liquor developer Neko Works, Kindred Spirits on the Roof publisher MangaGamer, and Re;Lord publisher Sekai Project.

— #WAIFUHOLOCAUST UPDATE —

I have just received word from Valve apologizing for the confusion, saying to DISREGARD their previous e-mail about the violation, that they are in the process of re-reviewing the game and will follow up soon. — HunieDev (@HuniePotDev) May 19, 2018

Steam have notified us that we can disregard their previous message and advised us of specifics regarding aspects they are reviewing. On the whole let’s all draw a deep breath and move on. — Dharker Studios (@DharkerStudio) May 19, 2018

Lupiesoft has also just received word from Valve that Mutiny!! is being re-reviewed for content, and that the 2 week deadline is off. We’ll update everyone as any more information comes our way. — Lupiesoft (@Lupiesoft) May 19, 2018

Update: We have just received word from Valve to disregard the previous notice. According to the e-mail, Kindred Spirits will be re-reviewed and we will be provided with specific feedback if there are concerns about the game’s content. — MangaGamer (@MangaGamer) May 19, 2018

We also have gotten an email from Valve to disregard their email about content issues and to wait for a follow-up email. We will post more information once we have it! — Sekai Project (@sekaiproject) May 19, 2018

Regarding the removal of Tropical Liquor on Steam, we received word that it will be re-evaluated.

😺 — NEKO WORKs@OVA配信中！ (@nekopara_pr) May 20, 2018

That being said, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the issue is fully solved just yet, as we don’t know what results Valve’s review process will yield.

I should be clear this doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods. It just means we have an interesting development. Whatever the case, the communication and clarification from Valve is very, very much appreciated. — HunieDev (@HuniePotDev) May 19, 2018

Yes, it is possible that some changes may still be needed, but they have advised that if they are they will provide specifics on what is wrong. However based on the communication i have now received I am not worried and do not expect any required changes. — Dharker Studios (@DharkerStudio) May 19, 2018

Hopefully, Valve’s review will result in the recognition that the content included in the games is perfectly acceptable since it was already censored to be released on Steam to begin with, and no imagery involved can realistically be likened to “pornography” contrary to what the warning emails lamented.

Incidentally, some of the developers affected mentioned that they will still expand to other storefronts to diversify their reach.

The issue gained large visibility on social and gaming media over the past two days, and a petition against Steam’s actions passed 10,000 signatures in a single day. Whether or not the widespread reaction had any effect on this development remains unknown.