Ebi-hime’s Yuri Visual Novels Removed From Steam in Russia Amid Censorship Rules
Indie game developer and writer ebi-hime has said that several of her visual novels are no longer available to purchase on the Russian version of Steam, following action connected to the country’s censorship requirements.
The affected titles are described as yuri visual novels, a genre often centered on romantic relationships between female characters. Ebi-hime’s games are known for their anime-inspired art style, emotional storytelling, and character-driven romance, with many of them featuring girls who fall in love with each other.
According to a message the developer received through Steam, the games were made inaccessible to buyers in Russia because they were found to be in violation of local distribution requirements. The decision appears to be tied to Roskomnadzor, the Russian government agency responsible for overseeing media, communications, and censorship enforcement.
Ebi-hime publicly reacted to the situation by saying that a number of her yuri visual novels had been banned in Russia because of the country’s stance toward LGBTQ+ content. She also criticized the wording of Steam’s message, suggesting that it placed responsibility on developers to understand and comply with restrictive foreign laws before publishing their games internationally.
The situation has raised concerns among indie developers and fans of visual novels, especially because censorship laws can differ greatly from one country to another. For smaller creators, keeping track of every regional legal requirement can be difficult, particularly when those rules involve broad restrictions on LGBTQ+ themes, romantic content, or political expression.
This case also highlights a growing issue for digital game distribution platforms. When games are sold globally, developers may suddenly find their work restricted or removed in certain regions due to local regulations. For creators working with niche genres such as yuri visual novels, LGBTQ+ romance, and anime-style storytelling, these regional rules can have a direct impact on visibility, sales, and audience access.
Ebi-hime has built a following among visual novel fans for her heartfelt stories, soft art direction, and focus on queer romance. The removal of her games from the Russian Steam store has therefore drawn attention not only as a censorship issue, but also as part of a wider debate about how digital platforms handle creative freedom across different markets.
For players outside Russia, ebi-hime’s games remain available through supported storefronts, allowing fans of indie visual novels, yuri romance games, and LGBTQ+ storytelling to continue exploring her work.
