Home News Steam Policy Shift Bans Adult Content Due to Payment Processor Rules

Steam Policy Shift Bans Adult Content Due to Payment Processor Rules

Steam has quietly amended its Steamworks documentation to include a 15th rule: all content must comply with the rules and standards of payment processors, banks, and internet service providers—explicitly restricting “certain kinds of adult‑only content.” This new clause is directly aimed at addressing the compliance demands of Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and others.

Immediate Impact on NSFW Titles

In the two days following this update, SteamDB tracked the removal of dozens of explicit titles, primarily sex simulators with incest or slavery themes. Some NSFW experiments, including controversial simulations, were delisted without notice. This sudden purge sparked alarm among developers and players alike.

Why Payment Processors Are Driving the Change

The shift stems from pressure by payment processors to align storefronts with their internal content guidelines. These institutions often cut off services when platforms host content considered explicit, illegal, or reputationally risky. Valve’s move mirrors earlier actions taken by OnlyFans, Patreon, and Tumblr, which adjusted adult-content policies to maintain financial support.

What Valve Says

Valve states that compliance is essential to avoid losing payment options, which would impact all users on Steam. A spokesperson confirmed that affected developers are being notified and offered app credits should they re-release compliant titles

You can learn more about it here: https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/gettingstarted/onboarding?language=english#5

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adult titles explicit adult titles LGBTQ payment violations Steam steam adult games steam nsfw games steam policy steam policy shift Valve valve policy

Sai T.

Sai is a social media manager and senior web content creator who spends his days juggling game research, deadlines, and the usual existential crisis. When he isn’t crafting content that hopefully goes viral, he’s a dedicated single parent doing his best to navigate work life balance. And in the rare moments when free time actually appears, he’s usually found with his two dogs, who are fully convinced they’re the ones in charge.