Business Steam rules updated to prohibit content that violates rules set forth by payment processors and banks - Valve's rules regarding what developers "shouldn't publish on Steam" have a new clause regarding standards set forth by payment processors.

https://automaton-media.com/en/news/steam-rules-updated-to-prohibit-content-that-violates-rules-set-forth-by-payment-processors-and-banks/

https://archive.ph/NXq04

Valve's rules regarding what developers "shouldn't publish on Steam" have a new clause regarding standards set forth by payment processors.

2025-07-16 17:17
Amber V



Valve has updated its rules regarding content that developers aren’t allowed to publish on Steam (as reported by Game*Spark [archive]). The “Rules and Guidelines” section of Steamworks Documentation now has an extra clause, and it suggests that publishers are required to comply with rules and standards set forth by various third parties involved in processing electronic payments. The rule seems to be predominantly related to adult content.

What you shouldn’t publish on Steam:
15. 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. In particular, certain kinds of adult only content.

Prior to the update, the list included 14 clauses, prohibiting things like hate speech, malware, sexual content depicting real people and any form of exploitation of children. The new 15th clause suggests that Steam may additionally have to crack down on specific types of adult content in response to the requirements of payment processors and banks. There are currently no specific examples of what this may entail.

Update (2025/07/15 at 18:30 JST): According to SteamDB [wayback], a large number of games has been removed from the platform in the past 16 hours. Judging rom the list, it appears “sex simulator” type games with keywords such as “incest” and “slavery” make up the majority. There are some confusing cases like the removal of the Ace Attorney-inspired investigation game Trails of Innocence, although this could be a coincidental deletion.

On a related note, various video game and manga hosting platforms in Japan have in recent years run into trouble with payment processors and credit card networks. Due to certain content on the platforms going against the (often undisclosed) rules and standards of third parties handling payments, the platforms ended up without support for credit card payment. This has led to loss of revenue and even the closure of platforms like Manga Library Z. It is possible that Steam’s new rule is a means to prevent such complications from arising, however, as the specific “rules and standards” of the payment processors are also unclear, publishers might need to be extra cautious with releasing their games on the platform.

Related articles: “It’s a security hole that endangers democracy itself.” NieR creator speaks out against payment processors pressuring Japanese adult content platforms

Visa Japan’s CEO says disabling card payment for legal adult content is “necessary to protect the brand”

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Niche Gamer: Steam updates rules to comply with payment processor censorship (archive)
Wccftech: Steam Publishing Guidelines Updated With Clause Prohibiting Content That Violates Payment Processor and Bank Rules (archive)

Rock Paper Shotgun: Valve change Steam's rules to let banks and credit card firms prohibit "certain kinds of adult only content" (archive)

In particular, this could lead to a stifling of games that are in any way non-conforming, particularly given the current climate of repression in Valve's home country, the USA. I know about the rule change thanks to Youtuber and self-described former game developer NoahFuel Gaming, who has posted on Bluesky about the potential fallout for projects the banks and financial corporations consider "adult" because they deviate from reactionary framings of sex and gender. As the Youtuber writes: "Queer content gets flagged as 'explicit' even when it's PG. A trans dev making a personal story? 'Too controversial.' A surreal queer VN? 'Sexualized.' Financial deplatforming in action."

GamesRadar: Steam now prohibits games that violate the "rules and standards" of payment processors, banks, and more, and users are worried it might affect more than just "certain kinds of adult-only content" (archive)

"Yeah... this is something that looks innocuous at first glance but it's a trojan horse," another believes. "LGBTQ+ has a habit of being mysteriously flagged as 'adult only.'" On ResetEra, similar points are being shared, as one writes: "Today it's porn games, tomorrow any game with LGBTQ+ content because it ends up labelled as 'adult.'"

Notebookcheck: Steam tightens adult content rules after pressure from payment giants (archive)

As spotted [archive] by TheGamer, this triggered a mini-purge according to the Steam Database, with many problematic games such as "Incest Tales", "Wolf on Rail", "Sex Village", "Slave of the Police Officer", and many more, being delisted from the storefront.

GamingOnLinux: Valve gets pressured by payment processors with a new rule for game devs and various adult games removed (archive)

 

[Whoopsie Daisy]

it doesn't matter who is in charge as long as global government can bypass US law

Rockstar is one of those hopeless cases that I think the governments just completely gave up on trying to do anything against it. Note that every single Commonwealth Country (the same sort of people behind steam censoring games) has tried banning their games before and they can't really do anything.

There is hope then.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see anything censored, but GTA6 been brought down by feminists and golems, causing the industry to crash and Playstation to go under, would be peak "get what you deserve".

 

[Fcret]

You know how a lot of Japanese sites and services IP range ban foreigners?

We should do that with the entire Commonwealth.

 

[Do Not Touch Me Pls]

There is hope then.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to see anything censored, but GTA6 been brought down by feminists and golems, causing the industry to crash and Playstation to go under, would be peak "get what you deserve".

Rockstar Games isn't going anywhere. The real things you have to watch out for are the anime fanservice games.

 

[Whoopsie Daisy]

Rockstar Games isn't going anywhere. The real things you have to watch out for are the anime fanservice games.

Maybe not. But I can't see GTA6 being the success it has to be and any boycott helps.

 

[FlipTopBox]

Not a fan of porn games and I think easy access to porn has done more harm than good to society, but weaponizing payment processors to go after otherwise legal content is complete bitch move.

 

[Jet Fuel Johnny]

Not satisfied with going after such dangerous games as Detroit: Beyond Human, the collective of Australian Karen Whores have targeted on of the most horrific and henious games out there.

https://x.com/NeverFringe6_2/status/1946947046939779125

This is after they got outed for shielded and hiring pedophiles.

They pressured Vice into taking down the expose on them. I guess Vice is hoping that this group of over-acting Down Under Nannies will eat them last.

So, if you thought they'd stop at incest games, you have another thing coming.

Ana Valens has left Vice over Vice censoring her articles on collective Shout.




The fact that Valens got shit-canned not for libel, not for making up random shit, not for twisting the facts, but for actual reporting, is goddamn ironic champagne.

 

[Terrifik]

Not satisfied with going after such dangerous games as Detroit: Beyond Human, the collective of Australian Karen Whores have targeted on of the most horrific and henious games out there.

https://x.com/NeverFringe6_2/status/1946947046939779125

View attachment 7668979

This is after they got outed for shielded and hiring pedophiles.

They pressured Vice into taking down the expose on them. I guess Vice is hoping that this group of over-acting Down Under Nannies will eat them last.

So, if you thought they'd stop at incest games, you have another thing coming.

It's happening and I am all for Gass starting
Get fucked for not understand day0 rule.
️

 

[REGENDarySumanai]

Not satisfied with going after such dangerous games as Detroit: Beyond Human, the collective of Australian Karen Whores have targeted on of the most horrific and henious games out there.

https://x.com/NeverFringe6_2/status/1946947046939779125

View attachment 7668979

This is after they got outed for shielded and hiring pedophiles.

They pressured Vice into taking down the expose on them. I guess Vice is hoping that this group of over-acting Down Under Nannies will eat them last.

So, if you thought they'd stop at incest games, you have another thing coming.

The group sounds like a bunch of whiny teetotalers from the 20th century, shifting gears from alcohol to porn. Maybe they should go after rapists instead of saber rattling on the Internet.

 

[Terrifik]

The group sounds like a bunch of whiny teetotalers from the 20th century, shifting gears from alcohol to porn. Maybe they should go after rapists instead of saber rattling on the Internet.

Teetotslers Austrians with power.
All they have to do is complain head jew of visa/master/discover/PayPal.

 

[Jet Fuel Johnny]

The group sounds like a bunch of whiny teetotalers from the 20th century, shifting gears from alcohol to porn. Maybe they should go after rapists instead of saber rattling on the Internet.

Like I'm sure has been said earlier in the thread.

They aren't exactly going after porn.

They're using that as cover. They've started, like SJWs do, with hitting what they feel many would support getting rid of. Games with incest, rape, violence and sexual violence against women and children.

But they the expand it.

You can expect to see Kingdom Come II hit.

They also mentioned a few historical games they want taken down.

Their list keeps getting longer and longer with each victory.

This is the group that got GTA-5 banned in Down Under.

EDIT:

 

[REGENDarySumanai]

Like I'm sure has been said earlier in the thread.

They aren't exactly going after porn.

They're using that as cover. They've started, like SJWs do, with hitting what they feel many would support getting rid of. Games with incest, rape, violence and sexual violence against women and children.

But they the expand it.

You can expect to see Kingdom Come II hit.

They also mentioned a few historical games they want taken down.

Their list keeps getting longer and longer with each victory.

This is the group that got GTA-5 banned in Down Under.

It will be interesting to see them shriek once phonebooked.

 

[Jace on ice]

Their targets so far have been tiny indie devs and doujin makers that can't fight back.

It will be interesting to see what happens when these hags target someone like CDPR that have armies of lawlyers.

 

[Terrifik]

Like I'm sure has been said earlier in the thread.

They aren't exactly going after porn.

They're using that as cover. They've started, like SJWs do, with hitting what they feel many would support getting rid of. Games with incest, rape, violence and sexual violence against women and children.

But they the expand it.

You can expect to see Kingdom Come II hit.

They also mentioned a few historical games they want taken down.

Their list keeps getting longer and longer with each victory.

This is the group that got GTA-5 banned in Down Under.

EDIT:
View attachment 7669091

Article tranny FFO ( fuck around found out)
She was dropped for starting drama & supporting drama. Got 404.
We know most if all game media is dead except youtube,vtubing,podcast,twitch
article was mistimed for gaslighting bit, filled i was right jar in half a frame.(it was ram get rule on books for steam)
Its only going to get worst .
bring lots a popcorn.

 

[WelperHelper99]

Like I'm sure has been said earlier in the thread.

They aren't exactly going after porn.

They're using that as cover. They've started, like SJWs do, with hitting what they feel many would support getting rid of. Games with incest, rape, violence and sexual violence against women and children.

But they the expand it.

You can expect to see Kingdom Come II hit.

They also mentioned a few historical games they want taken down.

Their list keeps getting longer and longer with each victory.

This is the group that got GTA-5 banned in Down Under.

EDIT:
View attachment 7669091

They are using existing laws to get their victories. Notably obscenity and interstate commerse. The payment processors know the US code better than the government. Even if a law isn't being enforced now, the payment processors are deathly afraid of getting their card punched. They have a good grift going on. Do nothing, skim 3% off 80% of all global transactions. It's why they are doing what they are doing. And they are being weaponized by groups like these to accomplish political goals.

 

[The Integrated Cuck]

Oh my gosh, Yellow! Do they not want to take part in the massive money launderingm?

 

[The Mass Shooter Ron Soye]

They are using existing laws to get their victories. Notably obscenity and interstate commerse. The payment processors know the US code better than the government. Even if a law isn't being enforced now, the payment processors are deathly afraid of getting their card punched. They have a good grift going on. Do nothing, skim 3% off 80% of all global transactions. It's why they are doing what they are doing. And they are being weaponized by groups like these to accomplish political goals.

This entire paragraph is summarizing what Null said on MATI. I'm not so sure about the theory that they are avoiding potential legal issues (not currently pursued by the feds) by purging problematic customers and strong-arming the big ones. I'd love to have a mole on the inside privy to these decisions.

 

[Do Not Touch Me Pls]

Not satisfied with going after such dangerous games as Detroit: Beyond Human, the collective of Australian Karen Whores have targeted on of the most horrific and henious games out there.

Apparently the SCP game was removed for other reasons. See here. Also note that they still have it on their own site (it's free) and the multiplayer/reborn versions are not removed yet.

The post seems to be ragebait.

They are using existing laws to get their victories. Notably obscenity and interstate commerse. The payment processors know the US code better than the government. Even if a law isn't being enforced now, the payment processors are deathly afraid of getting their card punched. They have a good grift going on. Do nothing, skim 3% off 80% of all global transactions. It's why they are doing what they are doing. And they are being weaponized by groups like these to accomplish political goals.

They don't care about or follow US laws, if they follow US laws we will not be entangled in this bullshit. They actually follow Australia/EU/Commonwealth laws which are even stricter and denser. Anyone who enables or participates in this is committing legal treason.

 

[WelperHelper99]

This entire paragraph is summarizing what Null said on MATI. I'm not so sure about the theory that they are avoiding potential legal issues (not currently pursued by the feds) by purging problematic customers and strong-arming the big ones. I'd love to have a mole on the inside privy to these decisions.

I've listened to his argument in full. I actually think he's correct. They are in a good spot. They have every reason to not fuck it up and be proactive. Now this is obviously bad, this is like dropping a 50 megaton nuke on a anthill. But I understand it. Prevent future problems before they even become problems. It means however that they are judge jury and executioner. There is no appeal, no trial. You can't fight it. And when it's weaponized by feminists, trannies, literally every bad group, it causes chaos.

 

[Slap47]

The CEO of this Aussie feminist group is an absolute loon that thinks all sex consensual or not is inherently immoral and legally equivalent to rape.

Andrea Dworkin was saying that all sex with men was rape back in the 1970s. This is a mainstream viewpoint amongst the radical feminists that conservatives have been allying themselves with.

 

[Agent Abe Caprine]

Oh wow, especially since the soccer moms at the ESRB only rated it T lmao

The ESRB is surprisingly lenient as long as it isn't a Hatred situation or obvious porn. Notice anything with an anime artstyle that isn't porn tends to get a T at most. You have to be SMT levels of edge to get an M with that artstyle.