A New Hurdle for Adult Games: Steam is Reportedly Blocking NSFW Updates, According to a Raunchy RPG Developer

The relationship between Valve’s Steam platform and developers of adult-only games has always been a complicated one, defined by a constant push and pull between content and corporate policy. This tension has been brought to a head once again with a new report from a developer of a raunchy RPG, who claims that Steam is now blocking updates that add new NSFW content to games that have already been released. This new policy, which appears to be a quiet change from Valve, is creating significant new hurdles for a niche but active segment of the PC gaming market.

The Report from Crimson Delight Games

The developer in question is Crimson Delight Games, the studio behind the recently released fantasy RPG, Tales of Legendary Lust: Aphrodisia. In a post on the game’s Steam page, the developers explained that they had planned to add new “lewd scenes” to the base game through free updates while they worked on a larger DLC expansion. However, they were informed by Valve that this would no longer be allowed. The new rule, as they were told, is that “Valve doesn’t allow post-launch NSFW content for an app that’s already been through their review process and has released on the store.” Instead, any new adult content must be submitted as a formal DLC package, which can then go through its own dedicated review process.

This is a significant change, as many developers of adult games have relied on a model of releasing a game with some mature content and then adding more over time through free updates to maintain player interest. This new policy effectively ends that model. It’s a major blow for developers who use a crowd-funded or Early Access model, as it makes it much harder to deliver on promised content incrementally. As one developer on Reddit put it, “This is one of the reasons adult game developers are concerned: even if new sexual content in DLC is appropriate for the game’s setting, it may not be permitted in a game where sex is a fundamental mechanic.”

The Root of the Problem: Payment Processors

In a surprising twist, Crimson Delight Games has been vocal in its defense of Valve, stating that “Valve isn’t the problem here.” Instead, they point the finger at “the big credit card companies” and global payment networks like Mastercard and Visa. The developers suggest that these financial institutions, under pressure from anti-pornography and censorship groups, are forcing platforms like Steam and itch.io to adopt stricter policies on what kind of adult content they can sell. This has led to a series of quiet but significant changes, including the recent reports that Steam is no longer allowing adult-themed games to be released in Early Access.

Crimson Delight Games stated that Valve “could’ve simply nuked the 18+ section of Steam, but they didn’t, they stuck up for developers.” They frame this new policy as a compromise, a way for Valve to appease the payment processors who “have payment processors breathing down their neck” while still allowing the adult-only genre to exist on the platform. This puts Valve in a difficult position, caught between its developer partners and the financial institutions that enable their business. It highlights the complex and often-unseen corporate forces that dictate what kinds of games we are allowed to play.

Conclusion: The Future of Adult Games on Steam is Uncertain

The report from Crimson Delight Games, while not an official statement from Valve, is a clear and concerning signal for the future of adult-only games on Steam. The platform’s new policy on blocking NSFW updates is a significant hurdle that will force developers to re-evaluate their release strategies. While the promise of continued support through DLC is a small comfort, it is not a perfect solution for a genre that thrives on a steady stream of new and free content. The situation is a powerful reminder that in the world of video games, creativity and commerce are inextricably linked, and that the biggest battles are often not fought in-game, but behind the scenes, between developers, platforms, and financial institutions. The future of adult games on Steam is now more uncertain than ever, and it’s clear that the final chapter of this story has yet to be written.