Key Takeaways
1. Indie games are being uploaded to Steam without the original creators’ permission, with many taken from itch.io.
2. A specific developer, referred to as “me,” has uploaded around 70 stolen games, including titles like Hard Cop 2 and Open Star Fighter.
3. Valve struggles to manage the influx of new games, leading to the presence of low-quality and potentially harmful content on Steam.
4. The community has raised concerns about Valve’s hands-off approach to moderation, allowing hate speech and harassment to persist in forums.
5. The issue of stolen and low-quality games extends beyond Steam, affecting other platforms like the PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop, exacerbated by generative AI.
Some indie game creators are discovering their games showing up on Steam. Sadly, this can happen without their permission. An article from Gamepressure reveals that one developer has uploaded many stolen games onto the platform. The recent case highlights Valve’s inability to effectively manage the ongoing influx of new games on Steam.
Developer’s Identity
The developer in question uses terms like “me” or “myself.” Gamepressure found out that a significant number of the nearly 70 games from this developer were taken from itch.io. This site is known for giving visibility to new game creators, with some games available for free or often priced at $5 or less. Among the games taken by “me” are Hard Cop 2 and Open Star Fighter, which were previously released on itch.io.
Ongoing Issues
Many of the questionable titles have been removed from Steam, yet “me” is still active on the platform. Critics have criticized Valve for allowing low-quality games, or even in some cases, malware. Publishing games on Steam is cheap, though getting visibility for them is much harder. Consequently, the platform has seen tremendous growth. However, it has also become a haven for developers with dubious motives.
Community Concerns
Valve has faced backlash for permitting hate speech and harassment in the Steam forums. Taking a mostly hands-off approach, the company counts on players to report any rule-breaking behavior. The indie games sourced from itch.io were probably only removed after users complained.
Broader Implications
The issue of low-quality games, imitation titles, and stolen games isn’t limited to Steam. On platforms like the PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop, gamers encounter numerous dubious listings. The rise of generative AI has added to the problem, as these tools can quickly produce generic game assets. Many of these games try to cash in by mimicking popular titles with misleading names.
Source:
Link
Leave a Reply