Should we continue to support indie devs on Steam, even with the Payment Processors regulating the curation of games?
Hey All. I'll try to be straightforward on the matter here. I'm bitterly opposed to the implementation of Rule 15 in Steam's submission and game curation guidelines, as it gives full control and approval over to payment processors like MasterCard, Visa, Stripe, and PayPal, all of whom can be strong-armed by advocacy groups like Collective Shout into removing games for any reason they see fit.

I understand that Steam has to abide by these conditions for now, but am frustrated with how silent they've been on the matter, doing nothing to give any assurance to their customers or the developers who want to release new games on their platform. I can't say I feel confident supporting Steam if they're doing nothing to give us any confidence either.

Having said that, I do still want to support independent developers, but feel like buying any other games on here will be the same as consenting to the presence and overreach of payment processors. Do we just continue to buy games while they're eyeing everything like vultures, ready to strip any piece of meat at any given time? Or do we withhold our purchases and push back against them while supporting indie devs on other platforms? What would you say is the better move to make?
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Showing 1-15 of 27 comments
I don't care
I feel like you’ve already asked this question and had it answered.

Edit: feel like this post is the same thing isn’t it?

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/discussions/forum/0/601911348839862388/
Last edited by Sciencemile; 1 Aug @ 4:45pm
I have zero issues in Steam pulling these games. I applaud the banks for taking a stand. I applaud Mr Newell and Valve giving small devs a chance, and i myself will continue to support them.

And if they want ID, that's exactly what they will get.

If you feel differently, you certainly can pull all money and future support from Steam.

I will not do that in kind.

I have Call to Arms Panzer Elite.

Trench Tales.

Forever Winter.

Tank Squad.

Ground Branch.

Dawn of Defiance

The WW1 Game Series

Holdfast Nations at War

Easy Red 2

Over the Top

Arma

And many other small devs for which i will give support, and my money.

This matter, means nothing, and idt it will mean anything for most players.
Last edited by xBCxRangers; 1 Aug @ 5:01pm
alexn55 1 Aug @ 5:04pm 
Originally posted by Bͥatͣmͫan:
I don't care

Why not?
alexn55 1 Aug @ 5:05pm 
Originally posted by Sciencemile:
I feel like you’ve already asked this question and had it answered.

Edit: feel like this post is the same thing isn’t it?

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/discussions/forum/0/601911348839862388/


I know that I've put this thought out there, but kinda meant to gauge more people in order to make a more informed and concise decision.
I just feel lost no matter what choice I make and don't feel happy regardless of what I do. I feel like a hindrance if I keep shopping, and I feel like a hindrance if I stop.
alexn55 1 Aug @ 5:07pm 
Originally posted by xBCxRangers:
I have zero issues in Steam pulling these games. I applaud the banks for taking a stand. I applaud Mr Newell and Valve giving small devs a chance, and i myself will continue to support them.

And if they want ID, that's exactly what they will get.

If you feel differently, you certainly can pull all money and future support from Steam.

I will not do that in kind.

I have Call to Arms Panzer Elite.

Trench Tales.

Forever Winter.

Tank Squad.

Ground Branch.

Dawn of Defiance

The WW1 Game Series

Holdfast Nations at War

Easy Red 2

Over the Top

Arma

And many other small devs for which i will give support, and my money.

This matter, means nothing, and idt it will mean anything for most players.


Don't you care about developers who have true artistic vision, though? What if their works get stifled for arbitrary reasons? Such as an art style that might offend someone, gun violence, dismemberment, thematic nuance, or narratives that are brave enough to challenge conventions?
I think the middle options were already covered; without knowing a specific game that isn’t covered I can only say again; spend what credits you already have, buy on GOG/itchio/anyplace where the game can be downloaded without needing a client to ensure your greater ownership.

Edit: removing the link that was created didn’t intend to make that link
Last edited by Sciencemile; 1 Aug @ 5:52pm
Originally posted by alexn55:
Originally posted by xBCxRangers:
I have zero issues in Steam pulling these games. I applaud the banks for taking a stand. I applaud Mr Newell and Valve giving small devs a chance, and i myself will continue to support them.

And if they want ID, that's exactly what they will get.

If you feel differently, you certainly can pull all money and future support from Steam.

I will not do that in kind.

I have Call to Arms Panzer Elite.

Trench Tales.

Forever Winter.

Tank Squad.

Ground Branch.

Dawn of Defiance

The WW1 Game Series

Holdfast Nations at War

Easy Red 2

Over the Top

Arma

And many other small devs for which i will give support, and my money.

This matter, means nothing, and idt it will mean anything for most players.


Don't you care about developers who have true artistic vision, though? What if their works get stifled for arbitrary reasons? Such as an art style that might offend someone, gun violence, dismemberment, thematic nuance, or narratives that are brave enough to challenge conventions?

The games mentioned are at no risk. The games that were sacked had no business on Steam.
Originally posted by alexn55:
Originally posted by Bͥatͣmͫan:
I don't care

Why not?
Because i don't care if adult/sex games are sold or not.

so i really don't care if they do it okay if they don't okay.
Originally posted by Bͥatͣmͫan:
Because i don't care if adult/sex games are sold or not.

so i really don't care if they do it okay if they don't okay.

With that attitude, don't wonder why no one comes to your defense when you are the one being affected—which may come as a direct result from you shrugging your shoulders at this.
Continue to support indie devs. Because it isn't their fault of what happened. But if you can support them directly, do it.
Don't just continue to support Indie devs, continue supporting any devs who make a game you enjoy.

It's that simple.
Originally posted by xBCxRangers:

The games mentioned are at no risk. The games that were sacked had no business on Steam.

Who made YOU the authority on which games belong on Steam and which don't?
Originally posted by The nameless Gamer:
Originally posted by xBCxRangers:

The games mentioned are at no risk. The games that were sacked had no business on Steam.

Who made YOU the authority on which games belong on Steam and which don't?

I don't believe the games removed should be on Steam either. But I'm not the authority and it's just my opinion.

All I can say is that I don't much mind that they're gone. I would care if the entire NSFW genre disappeared, despite not owning a single game in that genre. It would be far too excessive.
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