Steam Tightens Content Policies, Bans Games Violating Payment Processor Standards
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Valve’s Steam platform has introduced stricter enforcement measures, banning games that breach the policies of payment processors and financial institutions. The move, confirmed in an update to Steam’s documentation, aims to align the platform’s content rules with the compliance requirements of banking partners. While Steam has long prohibited illegal content, this update explicitly ties game approvals to third-party financial regulations, potentially affecting titles with adult content, gambling mechanics, or other controversial elements. Developers whose games are rejected under these guidelines will still receive revenue for prior sales. The policy shift follows increasing scrutiny from payment providers over high-risk transactions, signaling a broader industry trend toward tighter content moderation. Analysts suggest the change could impact indie developers disproportionately, as smaller studios may lack resources to navigate complex compliance hurdles.
