Steam Content Moderation Fiasco Continues with Developer’s Apology Game
The latest development in the ongoing Steam content moderation saga is a free ‘apology game’ created by the developer of the upcoming game ‘Spanking Exorcist’. The game was held up by Steam’s content moderation team, and as a token of apology, the developer, Actor, released a simple game where players can spank the developer as punishment.
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Spanking Exorcist, a first-person exploration game with unsettling characters, was initially set to release on July 24. However, due to overzealous content moderation, the release date was pushed back. The game’s trailer showcases a mix of exploration, eerie atmosphere, and unsettling characters, which might appeal to fans of gag horror games.
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The uneven content moderation on Steam has been a topic of discussion for some time, with many developers and players expressing frustration with the platform’s inconsistent policies. Some have even speculated that there’s a single, zealous prude at Valve who’s responsible for the strict moderation.
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Despite the controversy surrounding Steam’s content moderation, the platform continues to host a wide range of games, including some that might be considered risqué or explicit. The developer of Furry Hitler, a game that has sparked controversy in the past, has continued to release new content on the platform, and Alex Jones’ videogame is also available for purchase.
Another game that was recently removed from Steam due to negative reporting is Plantation Simulator. However, in this case, the developer voluntarily took the game down, rather than being forced to do so by Valve’s content moderation team.
Actor, the developer of Spanking Exorcist, took to X, ‘The Everything App’, to apologize for the delay in the game’s release. They stated that they had created a game where players can spank the developer as a token of apology and expressed their hope that players would enjoy it.
To demonstrate the apology game, the author of the article downloaded the game from Google Drive and tried it out. The game is a simple, cartoonish representation of a derriere viewed from overhead, surrounded by Japanese text. There’s a link to the Steam page, a button to quit out, and a button to make the butt jiggle in tune with a slapping sound effect.
The apology game might be a harmless diversion, but it’s also a clever way for the developer to poke fun at the situation and show their willingness to engage with the community. The story has a happy ending, as Spanking Exorcist is now available for download on Steam, just six days after its initial target release date.
With the controversy surrounding Steam’s content moderation, it’s essential for developers and players to stay informed about the latest developments and policies. The platform’s inconsistent policies have led to frustration and confusion among many, and it’s up to Valve to address these issues and create a more welcoming environment for developers and players alike.
