On July 16, 2025, Steam quietly updated its game publishing rules—adding a powerful new clause that’s already having an immediate impact. The update, now live in the Steamworks onboarding documentation, introduces a new rule prohibiting any game content that violates the standards of Steam’s payment processors, card networks, or internet service providers.
Shortly after the change, several adult-oriented titles were removed from the Steam storefront, suggesting that Valve is now enforcing this rule—especially toward content that may have previously skirted Steam’s guidelines but now conflicts with third-party standards.
🔄 Rule 15: A Quiet but Powerful Addition
While Steam has long banned content involving hate speech, defamation, or illegal activity, the newly added Rule 15 specifically calls out:
“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.”
The vague and broad wording has raised questions among developers and legal experts alike. Steam has not clarified which specific types of content are now considered off-limits, nor has it detailed which payment networks or provider policies it’s aligning with. However, early removals hint at a crackdown on certain types of adult-only content, especially those deemed controversial or difficult to process for credit card companies.
🧩 Ongoing Mature Content Controversy
Interestingly, this rule arrives during another controversial shift. In early July, some users discovered ways to bypass mature content warnings on Steam. These warnings—normally triggered by games tagged with sexual content, nudity, or intense violence—typically require a birthdate check. The new bypass method allowed some users to hide these warnings entirely, although Valve hasn’t confirmed whether this will be implemented platform-wide or remain limited by region or user settings.
The timing of both changes signals that Valve may be revisiting its approach to age-gated and adult content, balancing user freedom with growing pressure from financial institutions and regulatory bodies.
🧑💻 Impact on Developers and Players
For developers, the new rule means more uncertainty—especially for indie creators in the visual novel, eroge, or adult simulation spaces. Even if a game previously passed Steam’s vetting process, it may now be subject to takedown if it conflicts with backend financial requirements.
Players who already purchased removed titles still retain access via their libraries. However, these games are no longer searchable or purchasable by new users, cutting off future discovery and revenue streams for affected devs.
📉 Why It Matters
This move is part of a broader industry trend where platform holders are increasingly beholden to payment providers, many of which have restrictive content policies around adult material. It also suggests Valve is looking to avoid financial or legal friction by aligning its policies with those of the companies that power transactions behind the scenes.
While Steam remains home to thousands of adult and mature-rated games, developers and players alike are watching closely to see how aggressively Valve enforces this new rule—and whether more removals are coming.