Over the last few weeks, there’s been a significant wave of game removals from popular platforms like Steam and Itch.io. The reasons for these bans are often vague, leaving developers and players confused. One notable casualty in this situation is VILE: Exhumed, a game created by Cara Cadaver and DreadXP, which faced removal just before its release.
In July, major payment processors — Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal — implemented new, unclear rules regarding what types of games can be sold. Steam responded by adding broad restrictions, particularly targeting “certain kinds of adult-only content.” This led to hundreds of games being taken down. Shortly after, Itch.io followed suit, removing over 20,000 adult-themed titles from visibility.
VILE: Exhumed, an ambitious project, was set to launch on July 22. The game explores dark themes involving misogyny and online obsession, yet its approval process on Steam took far longer than expected. Just a day before its release, it was officially banned, based on claims that it contained “sexual content with depictions of real people.” Cara argues that her game relies on text and implication, not explicit visuals, causing frustration over the decision.
This type of censorship isn’t new. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has highlighted how financial pressure can restrict speech online, affecting not just games but also platforms like OnlyFans and Patreon. The International Game Developers Association has condemned these sweeping policies, arguing that they disproportionately impact marginalized creators.
User reactions have been mixed. Many gamers took to social media to express their anger and confusion over the inconsistencies in enforcement. Interestingly, the original version of VILE, which contains similar content, remains available on Itch.io, raising questions about why one game was banned while another wasn’t.
As these issues unfold, it’s clear that vague policies leave too much room for misinterpretation. This chaos impacts not only developers but also the diversity of stories being told in gaming. Many fear this trend could stifle creativity, particularly among indie developers like Cara, who rely on platforms like Steam to reach audiences.
Despite this setback, Cara and her team are exploring alternative distribution plans beyond Steam, striving to maintain their artistic expression. In a world where censorship is becoming more prevalent, the fight for creative freedom remains crucial for all storytellers.
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