In a recent statement to PC Gamer, Valve confirmed that a number of adult video games were removed from its platform in response to complaints from credit card companies, especially Mastercard. The company noted, “We were recently notified that certain games on Steam may violate the rules and standards set forth by our payment processors and their related card networks and banks.” Consequently, these titles are being discontinued from sales on the Steam Store. Valve is also reaching out to the affected developers to offer app credits for future distributable titles, contingent upon compliance with payment processor guidelines.

Valve’s actions appear to be a response to the need for ongoing payment methods on Steam, suggesting that the company feels constrained by the influence of payment processors when navigating its content regulations. While the impacted games have not been specified, there is concern that this may set a worrying precedent where credit card companies dictate what content can be sold on platforms like Steam.

As a community, it raises questions about how companies like Valve may need to balance their offerings while adhering to external pressures from financial institutions.