Steam is witnessing a wave of game removals, driven by demands from payment providers who believe certain titles breach their “rules and standards.” Ana Valens, once with Vice, argues that activist groups wield excessive power over both payment processors and Valve’s platform. She, too, has become embroiled in controversy, leading to her departure from Vice.
Recently, Valve took down numerous adult-themed games from Steam on request from payment processors. An investigation by journalists uncovered that external organizations were also exerting influence over these actions. Some Vice writers found themselves caught in the fallout, with several opting to resign.
Ana Valens penned an article highlighting how Australian-based Collective Shout claimed responsibility for the game removals. This group, self-described as campaigning against women’s objectification and the sexualization of girls, is labeled by Valens as a “radical feminist organization” that advocates for banning adult content.
Valens’ report also delved into the roles of other organizations like the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) and Exodus Cry, known for their past efforts to remove certain games from Valve’s platform. In cases such as Detroit: Become Human, Collective Shout accused developers of promoting violence without substantial evidence, claims Valens argues are often exaggerated.
Valens revealed via social media that Vice’s leadership ordered her to remove content related to Collective Shout due to its controversial nature. After refusing, she chose to step back from her role at Waypoint, Vice’s gaming division, sparking resignations from her colleagues in support. Whether Vice’s management has connections with Collective Shout remains unclear.
Critics argue that payment processors exert excessive control over Valve’s content moderation. There are objections to groups like Collective Shout lobbying financial institutions based on political motives. The situation at Vice raises broader concerns about journalistic freedom and the power dynamics involved in content censorship debates.
