Summary
A recent change fromSteamwill see some games on the online marketplace becoming unavailable in Germany, in cooperation with a German law regarding age ratings. The massively popular online platform developed by Valve has long been one of gaming’s most well-known marketplaces, with a library sporting tens of thousands of games.Steam is one of gaming’s most widely accessible platformsthroughout the world, with most countries having access to the marketplace. However, one country’s Steam store is set to see some major changes in the near future.
WhileSteam’s popularity has opened up the platform to a wide variety of users, the storefront also boasts a significant diversity in its games. While users can easily purchase games meant for children, likeFreddy Fishand thePutt-Puttgames, the platform also hosts a wide array of games geared towards adult audiences as well. Though many games coming to the platform do receive ratings by proper ratings boards like the ESRB and PEGI, Steam does not feature a hard requirement for developers to have their games rated. Now, Steam is adjusting its policy on unrated games in the German market.
Steam Delisting Unrated Games in Germany
As reported by GameReactor, Steam is making several changes to its available library of games in Germany due to a German regulation. A recent update from German regulatory board BZKJ has stated that games listed on Steam will berequired to have an age ratingto comply with Germany’s laws. As a result, Steam will be de-listing all unrated games on the German market later this year, with a deadline of November 15 for games to receive ratings. Developers will be able to complete this requirement either through Steam’s built-in rating system or German ratings agency USK.
The major shift to Germany’s policy is set to affect a wide array of games within the Steam market, forcing developers to comply with local ratings laws. Video game ratings have been a hot-button issue for years since the early days of gaming, with agencies like the ESRB established to regulate game sales. Many agencies have tried a variety of different methods to determine available for different customers, with theESRB even proposing a facial age verification systemlast year.
Steam’s new policies in Germany come as the developer has increasingly looked to expand its scope beyond the online storefront. Valve’s launch of the Steam Deck would become one of the hottest handheld devices in gaming, boasting a plethora of ways tocustomize the Steam Deck with different apps. Valve has also experimented in VR technology with the Valve Index, releasing VR-compatible versions of popular first-party franchises likeHalf-Life AlyxandPortalspinoffAperture Hand Lab. Steam’s newest regulations will help the platform continue to grow while also better regulating its German market.
Steam
Steam is a digital video game storefront and program developed by Valve that allows gamers to purchase, play, and mod their titles all through one convenient program.
