Steam's New Policy: Rejecting Adult Games Deemed Offensive by Credit Card Companies

Steam Says It Can Turn Down Games If Credit Card Companies Find Them Offensive

Steam, which describes itself as the ultimate destination for playing, discussing, and creating games added something to its Rules and Guidelines that indicates some adult content can be rejected if credit card companies dont approve of it.

On the list of stuff you shouldnt put on Steam, #15 now says, Content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steams payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers. In particular, certain kinds of adult only content.

It does not specify what certain kinds of adult only content means.

Elsewhere on the list, it says you cant have Adult content that isnt appropriately labeled and age-gated. The guidelines also forbid Nude or sexually explicit images of real people. But that gives the initial impression that 18+ is okay on Steam as long as its clearly labeled as such, its blocked from minors, and it doesnt have anyone real. So whats the stuff that crosses the line?

Other guidelines are pretty clear and universal, like saying you cant have Content you dont own or have adequate rights to or Libelous or defamatory statements.

Western credit card companies, particularly Visa and Mastercard, have been increasingly refusing to let adult customers buy adult manga and doujinshi from Japan. Japanese sites with adult content like Ken Akamatsus Manga Library Z, pictSPACE, Manga Planet, Niconico Shunga, Fantia, Fanza, Nico Nico, Melonbooks and Toranoana have all lost business because some credit card companies have refused to work with them.

President of Visa Worldwide Japan Cietan Kitney stated in 2025 that Visa has been disallowing service at these companies to protect the brand, meaning to protect Visas image.

Some of the stores have closed. Others have stopped selling items they think could be deemed offensive by the card companies.

Source: ANN

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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling  Manga Art for Beginners  with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel,  Manga Art for Everyone , and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga , both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.