Steam rejects visual novel over content concerns

Steam has rejected the upcoming Japanese horror visual novel This Game Is Not Real from its platform. Developer Viv announced the change after the game failed to meet Valve's distribution criteria. The title had accumulated 24,000 wishlists since its store page launched in August 2025.

The indie team behind the game, known as Viv, stated on May 13 that it would shift release plans to DLsite and BOOTH. Developer Bibu noted the decision followed Steam's determination that the project did not meet platform standards. The game was originally scheduled for release on Steam this month.

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Illustration of the Triple-i Initiative indie game showcase featuring trailers for Castlevania: Belmont's Curse and other titles amid an excited crowd.
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The third annual Triple-i Initiative showcase took place on April 9, organized by Evil Empire. The event featured new trailers, reveals, and updates for numerous indie titles, including Castlevania: Belmont's Curse. Highlights spanned survival games, farming sims, and action-RPGs with several upcoming release dates announced.

Google has removed the psychological horror visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club from the Google Play Store, stating that its content violates the platform's Terms of Service due to depictions of sensitive themes. The game, which launched on iOS and Android in December 2025, remains available for free on Apple devices. Developer San Salvato and publisher Serenity Forge said they are working to reinstate it.

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A visual novel developer received a notice from Valve after several of her games were removed from Steam in Russia. The message emphasizes the developer's responsibility to ensure compliance with local laws.

The game Plantation Simulator is no longer available for purchase on Steam after its developer asked Valve to take it down. The removal occurred on May 26 following an update posted by the developer on May 24.

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The small team behind life simulator Paralives has announced it will never release paid DLC for the game. Strong early sales have given the studio confidence in its free-update model.

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Developers of the cozy farming sim Starsand Island have pulled the game from Steam after discovering an unauthorized Tetris clone in one of its minigames. Seed Sparkle Lab cited insufficient verification during planning as the reason for the self-imposed removal. A new version of the game appears ready for release.

 

 

 

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