What's Happening?
Valve, the company behind the popular gaming platform Steam, required verification of specific content in the game 'Earth Must Die' before allowing its release. The game, developed by Size Five Games and
published by No More Robots, features a scene described as an 'alien orgy,' which raised concerns at Valve. The company requested footage of the scene to verify its context before approving the game's launch. Despite the initial uncertainty, Valve eventually approved the content, allowing 'Earth Must Die' to be available on Steam. This incident highlights Valve's content review process, which involves scrutinizing potentially questionable material in the thousands of games released on the platform annually.
Why It's Important?
This situation underscores the challenges faced by digital platforms like Steam in moderating content. With over 20,000 games released on Steam in 2025 alone, ensuring compliance with content guidelines is a significant task. Valve's decision to require verification of the 'alien orgy' scene reflects its commitment to maintaining certain standards on its platform. This incident also highlights the balance platforms must strike between creative freedom for developers and adherence to content policies. For developers, this process can impact release schedules and marketing strategies, while for consumers, it affects the availability and diversity of content on the platform.
What's Next?
Following the approval of 'Earth Must Die,' it is likely that Valve will continue to refine its content review processes to handle the increasing volume of games. Developers may need to prepare for similar scrutiny in the future, potentially affecting how they design and market their games. The gaming community and industry stakeholders will be watching to see how Valve and other platforms manage content moderation, especially as games continue to push creative boundaries. This could lead to broader discussions about content standards and the role of digital platforms in regulating game content.
