Steam Says There's "No Blanket Policy" Against NSFW Early Access, Despite Devs Getting Blocked
Ah, classic corporate doublespeak. Steam is trying to deny something that developers (and even other Steam reps) seem to be experiencing firsthand: a crackdown on adult games launching in Early Access.
The whole situation is a mess, stemming from pressure campaigns by anti-pornography groups like Collective Shout. These groups aren't just yelling at Steam; they're going after the payment processors. This forces companies like Visa or Mastercard to threaten platforms like Steam and Itch.io, effectively strong-arming them into removing or restricting adult content to avoid losing their payment options.
Developers of adult games have been caught in the crossfire, finding their games suddenly demonetized or removed entirely. Recently, a specific issue emerged: developers reporting they couldn't launch their NSFW games in Early Access.
Steam Tries to Clear the Air (and Fails)
In response to a direct question from an adult game developer, a Steam representative denied any specific policy change. The message, shared by journalist Ana Valens, stated: "We evaluate every game on a case-by-case basis... There is no blanket policy preventing certain games from using the Early Access model..."
Okay, fine. "No blanket policy." But that smells like carefully chosen words, especially when you compare it to what other Steam reps have apparently told developers.
Conflicting Messages and Confused Devs
Just a month ago, a different Steam rep was quoted saying the exact opposite: "Indeed, we're not distributing Adult-Only games that are in Early Access. Sorry.". That same rep even told devs not to add mature content via updates post-release, suggesting it should only be done via DLC.
We've also seen developers like Crimson Delight (Tales of Legendary Lust) report being explicitly barred from releasing NSFW updates.
So, which is it, Steam? Is it "case-by-case," or are adult games just not allowed in Early Access anymore? The lack of a clear, public announcement just breeds confusion and makes life hell for developers trying to navigate these murky waters.
The Shadow of Project 2025
This isn't happening in a vacuum. This push against adult content aligns perfectly with political initiatives like Project 2025, a conservative plan that explicitly called for a US-wide ban on pornography. With Trump's second term seeing many Project 2025 goals enacted, the pressure on payment processors and platforms to self-censor is only increasing.
Steam might say there's no blanket policy, but the reality on the ground feels different. Whether it's direct policy or just the chilling effect of processor pressure, developers of adult games are facing new hurdles, and Steam's vague non-denial isn't helping anyone.