I've been on this bandwagon for years. But about devs/pubs, not curators. I wonder if all the below could be applies to the Curators too... I don't see why not.

In fact, before the last big Steam client UI update, I was using a script that did exactly this block feature. The script (not grease monkey, but *drawing a blank on the commonly used script engine plug in for web browsers*). It was a great tool! When I had a list on steam showing the titles from a Dev or Pub, a little button was there to "block all", which included ignoring all their games and blocking linked Steam profiles.

** It can be done! IF you script or know as scripter, AND are willing to access steam through a web browser, NOT the client. Browser access to Steam services is recommended by me anyways for a lot of quality of life reasons when using Steam and Steam services.

I'd also think it wouldn't be too hard to add scripting to "sniff" out links (and compare to other sites like steam.db) to lead toward other devs & pubs (fake or not) to discover or renotice a Scammers Network.

What I found in my couple (maybe 3 or 4 years and only 2 or so since the script stopped working) of years of blocking.... It NEVER ENDS. NEVER. I spent more time blocking and being pissed at Steam for allowing this toxic $ making Networks and scammer they profit from while avoiding all responsibility protecting their larger nonscammer customer base. They keep coming and seemingly multiplying from what my last few years has told me.

The nice thing is when I do look at an occasional "potential" indie game, I sometimes now run across one that was pre-blocked from earlier efforts. I then look at that dev/pub again and see how many more games they have produced in the last 2-3 that I missed since the UI update when my script stopped working. Then I'm reminded that there is no escaping this until I leave Steam or Steam is forced (I don't have millions to spend to sue each corp individually, so oversight doesn't need to come from my wallet or non existent grass roots efforts.) into healthy ethical oversight compliances within their platform. This particular Rant over, until triggered again. ;)

Anyways, I hope some of this helps and if anyone wants to work on a script tool, I'll gladly use one again.

Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the scripter. I met them on Steam Gifts about 4ish years ago when I was asking on one of Lilly's bundle posts about this very issue: How do I avoid being REbothered by scammers without the tedium of individual title and account blocking?

I block so much on Steam and Facebook over the years, I expect to run out of block list space and be offered to purchase and upgrade for more block list space. Oops.. Triggered again. lol

I'm truly amazed and relieved (in my cynicism) this "feature" hasn't been pushed on social media platforms, yet. Another profitable method of pissing off your larger lemming customer base so you can sell them a fix they should have to be dealing with in the first place... smh. Ok... I'm hitting "Save Changes" and turning off the ranting now by moving onto another post. lol

What kind of replies do you expect? lol

Personally I think all individuals who prey on others need severely punished to the point traumatic fear of even considering doing it again. I see Valve as much of a thief with these "games" as the devs & pubs that put them out. Sadly, the world does not work this way.

I use to make efforts to block devs, pubs and all business shadyness that crossed my path. Too much work anymore. They pop up daily and seem to thrive in this environment in these methods of passive income.

I feel many companies that don't protect or support their customers need sued out of existence so the remaining ones shape up. Again, the world doesn't work this way.

Steam, social media platforms and so so many others deliberately don't give the customers the tools to properly protect themselves. What all this does is just promote more of this crap since there is no meaningful repercussions.

$100 investment with Steam to even get $2k (random low number I pulled out of the air)
back before being shut down is rewarding those who enjoy thieving.

I'd like to know too. I just finished blocking/blacklisting that Dev/Pub and affiliates.
Thought I'd come here and search for "Hede" discussions...

Time to black list another dev and possibly publisher.

Originally posted by Occular Malice:

Thanks for the responses. Sorry for the rant, I just feel totally frustrated at the system and realize it is what it is, just wish there wasn't as much shovelware and asset flips on the store. It makes for people like me, trying to create games and have fun doing it, an exercise in futility.

Hence, my unhelpful cynicism. Do your thing and try to feel good that you stay within your own ethical boundaries. Vote with your wallet and hope it is fat enough to be noticed. :P

In short: "Nope". We have zero influence.
They already have our $. They keep getting $ from said shadey devs.
Legit or ethical devs and customers are caught in the middle.

They won't listen until there is a mass exodus that translates into lost profits.

Get use to the crunchy peanut butter lubricant while you're bent over the barrel.
Be thankful you don't have peanut allergies.

Originally posted by Mythical Ostrich:

The dev permanently banned me when I reported their post for naming and shaming (posting screenshots containing the person's username and libel about him) lol. Absolutely pathetic.

Post a link to the shaming post, if you don't mind.

I blocked the dev/publisher and all products at the beginning of this, but I think I'd enjoy the honor of being blocked and banned by him/her/it/herm/whatever for reporting such a post. lol.

Just tossing this in there... but I've noticed "something" over the last few years.

It seems to me from casual viewing that 'The Gaming Industry" seems to be pushing for higher base prices on many games. A few years ago they were basically $30, then $40... for many years kind of stayed in that area. Then console boom hit and prices pretty much started at that $40 and quickly moved up to that $60 base price range across many sellers, stores and publishers.

Now I see base prices moving more and more into that $65 and $75 range.
This is all without adding in the additional costs of DLC.

Not sure if what I'm seeing is 'just' inflation or a calculated greed push by the various digital media industries. Many of the Titles on M$ Store have $80 price tags for trash games... This upsets me to even look at it and I refuse to give my $ to any store that does this or other shady marketing 'because they can'. Sadly, enough people pay it...

On a further tangent, I had hoped that digital books (kindle & the like) would bring book prices down to 40-50% of printed books... nope. Didn't happen. I can often find new printed books cheaper than digital, depending on where & how I shop...

So, this is just a gaming pricing trend I've noticed over the years, but I'm don't know if this is a side effect of inflation or a planned drive to increase profits.

Right... I'm hoping the author of this EA game is another exploiter that will get shut down.
With that said, Valve needs to get it together and exploiting seems the only way to motivate them. :P

It does and Thanks. :)

Just as always, Steam needs to do a better job at filtering and allowing customers to use filters. A single "Adult" filter removes many quality titles from your viewing list, which is why I allow adult titles to be displayed. And I should have added that I'm not on any high horse about adult content. I'm actually quite liberal and don't have issues with Porn, provided Adults are making Adult decisions... Time and Place and all that jazz (bad pun avoided). ;)