Steam Updates Guidelines on Adult Content and Payment Restrictions

Steam has recently revised its Rules and Guidelines for developers using Steamworks, Valve's platform for game publishing. The update emphasizes compliance with third-party service rules, especially concerning adult content.

Key Highlights of the Update

• Prohibition of content violating third-party rules: Publishers are now advised to avoid publishing content that breaches the standards set by payment processors, card networks, banks, or internet providers.
• Specific mention of adult content: The section titled "What you shouldn't publish on Steam" explicitly states that adult-only content that violates these rules is not permitted.

Context and Recent Incidents

This update follows the January announcement that Manga Planet's Stripe account was suspended due to R18 (Restricted 18+) content on its subscription service. This highlights the increasing scrutiny and restrictions around adult content in digital services.

Broader Payment Restrictions in Japan

Over recent years, several Japanese sites and services have faced payment restrictions from major providers like Visa and Mastercard. Examples include:

• Nico Nico
• Melonbooks and Toranoana
• DLSite (which also disallowed American Express)
• Fantia
• Manga Library Z
• Fanza

Closure of Niconico's Adult Service

In January, Niconico announced the end of its Niconico Shunga mature illustration service, citing social and international factors making continuation difficult.

Industry Perspectives

Cietan Kitney, President of Visa Worldwide Japan, confirmed that while Visa aims to support legal and legitimate products, it may decline certain transactions to protect its brand.

Summary

This evolving landscape reflects a tightening of policies around adult content and payment processing, impacting many online platforms in Japan and beyond.

Source: Steamworks via Hachima Kikō