150
submitted 2 days ago by byzxor@beehaw.org to c/gaming@beehaw.org

Valve have added a new rule to the Onboarding guide for game developers, noting that payment processors get a say in what stays on Steam.

Newly added rule is:

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.

Diff of the new terms https://github.com/SteamDatabase/SteamworksDocumentation/commit/fddd59b5395cc3c1c74574650dbf5784612d0521

:/ payment processors strike again (slippery slope etc)

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] network_switch@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

I don't think there's a way for Valve to avoid this. Like I don't think it would be enough to mark games as only available for purchase without support from the major payment processors/rails. Like disable those and add crypto payment support and only use those for those games. Those games being on the store that major payment processors support, they'll not want those on a store they support

This is a case where probably should be another store that doesn't use major payment processors but until alternative payment rails became popular, it'd be a low sales volume store. I know cryptocurrency has negative connotations because of the community, but I think those currencies are the only long term solution for people making porn games or whatever type of content that may have rich/powerful groups wanting to suppress

[-] Lfrith@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

Doesn't even need crypto support. Steam sells steam gift cards so they could just take the Pokemon approach for games where it can only be redeemed with credits.

[-] network_switch@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago

I think that'll still be the problem with it being in the storefront at all. Some parents org makes large enough fuss about porn games on Steam and payment processors demand stronger moderation rather than have their brands associated with Steam and whatever may be released on it

[-] Lfrith@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

At that point only solution is for Steam to become their own payment processor, since I don't see any huge company choosing to lose money by abandoning mainstream methods of payment customers use.

this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2025
150 points (99.3% liked)

Gaming

32085 readers
145 users here now

From video gaming to card games and stuff in between, if it's gaming you can probably discuss it here!

Please Note: Gaming memes are permitted to be posted on Meme Mondays, but will otherwise be removed in an effort to allow other discussions to take place.

See also Gaming's sister community Tabletop Gaming.


This community's icon was made by Aaron Schneider, under the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.

founded 3 years ago
MODERATORS