The subject of sex in video games has always been a controversial one, with some thinking that sexual content can actually enhance the experience of playing a game, while others (me included) are of the opinion that this is a mostly pointless addition to video games.
However, it’s clear many gamers get a kick out of playing games with sexual content. And given how controversial and attention grabbing some video games featuring sex have been, it’s likely these are pretty popular amongst some people.
So, it makes sense that plenty of erotic and sex-based video games can be found on Steam, as the video game digital distribution platform is PC users’ favourite place to buy digital games online.
However, it appears that Valve (the US company behind Steam as you likely already know) is now taking action against sex games on Steam, rallying against video games like Mutiny!!. As reported on PC Gamer, the makers of this visual novel (which as you can imagine features quite a bit of sexual content) were contacted by Valve due to reports of “pornographic content” in their game.
Tropical Liquor is one of the sex games on Steam which has raised concern amongst some people.
Another game featuring sex which has gotten the stick from Valve is Tropical Liquor. So said one of the game’s artists in a tweet, claiming the developers would be forced to censor adult content in the game or have their game removed from the Steam platform altogether.
Tropical Liquor is a colour-matching game with anime art set on a paradisiacal island, and apparently features a bit too much explicit content for Valve’s censors.
There’s also HuniePop, another game which could be hit by Steam’s banhammer if the developers don’t make changes in order to comply with Valve’s rules for adult content. This game has been praised by the likes of Destructoid and Kotaku due to its engaging, strategic gameplay, but it also has a good dose of adult content, featuring “steamy bedroom scenes” and “8 gorgeous girls each with their own personalities” according to its Steam page.
What to make of this then? While Valve’s crackdown does make sense up to a point, I personally wouldn’t want Gabe Newell’s company to take things too far and begin censoring or banning games altogether without cause, for adult content or other reasons, especially considering the company has a near monopoly on digital game sales and distribution in the PC arena.
So hopefully this matter can come to a good conclusion then, and the makers of these games can make the necessary changes and remain afloat, so those who enjoy this kind of game can keep doing so on the Steam platform in the future.