The news that Succubus: Hellish Orgy VR has been banned from Steam further proves that the gaming giant strictly defines what content it allows on its digital storefront.
Impact of Censorship on Madmind Studio's Games
According to the story by Bloody-Disgusting, this marks the latest case of Valve's censoring content that it deems inappropriate for its user base. However, it has raised important questions about its stance on games of a violent and adult nature.
Madmind Studio, the developer behind the title, has previously had its games censored or outright banned from the platform. This includes their 2017 release Agony, the horror title where players took the role of a condemned soul navigating through the depths of hell.
The game was initially released in a censored M-rated state, intended to inhibit the more adult aspects. Subsequently, Madmind allowed players to obtain the uncensored version of the game - only for it to be removed soon after.
The Consequences of Content Curation on Digital Storefronts: Succubus and Agony's Struggle for Steam
A similar fate was in store for their latest release, Succubus: Hellish Orgy VR. The game, which puts players in the role of the servant of Queen Vydija and tasks them with pleasing her macabre desires, is the polar opposite of family-friendly games like the Mario series.
Though Madmind never specified why the Steam version was banned, they posted on Steam that games of similar themes to Succubus and Agony "often face some difficulties on this platform."
Though it is uncertain if or when the VR version of Succubus will eventually make its way to Steam, it demonstrates that an extremely lenient policy about content curation on digital storefronts can lead to severe consequences cases of censorship.
Potential Damages to the Indie Market and Gaming in General Due to Censorship
It's a situation that, if not handled properly, could lead to developers having to censor their own games or potentially have them removed, as it appears has been the case here, with the news previously being reported by Rely on Horror.
This can lead to a toxic cycle of developers having to censor their games for fear of being removed, a cycle that could damage the burgeoning indie market and gaming in general. The game can still be found on SteamDB.
In the case of Agony, players were given a copy of the unrated version of the game, which was later removed from their libraries. Subsequently, it was re-released on Steam. The company had mentioned in a post on Steam that sequels of such games "often face some difficulties."
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Strong Support From The Gaming Community Despite Recurring Issues With Steam
True to their statement, the recurring issues with Steam have not deterred Madmind from releasing another game set in the Agony and Succubus universe through a Kickstarter campaign.
The denial of distribution for Hellish Orgy VR might be a signal for developers regarding the contents of games that are to be released on Steam.
Nevertheless, Madmind franchises have garnered strong support from the gaming community, proving that gamers will not be deterred from enjoying the kinds of immersive and graphic experiences the studio offers.
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