Tag: Steam

  • Niconico Faces Challenges After Adult Content Ban by Payment Processors

    Niconico Faces Challenges After Adult Content Ban by Payment Processors

    Key Takeaways

    1. Platforms like Steam are banning games with adult themes due to pressure from payment processors, despite many games adhering to guidelines.
    2. Niconico’s unique social features attract users, but the platform suffered financially after restricting mature content to appease credit card companies.
    3. Niconico’s revenue is declining, and users are exploring alternatives with fewer content restrictions, reflecting a broader trend in Japan against risqué material.
    4. Critics are concerned about censorship on platforms, arguing that not all banned games exploit women and girls, despite claims from organizations like Collective Shout.
    5. Steam has recently stopped accepting PayPal in several countries over adult content concerns, complicating purchasing for gamers, even for non-adult games.

    Much of the recent attention has been on platforms such as Steam, which have started to ban games containing adult themes. Payment processing companies have pushed for this censorship, even though many of the games followed their own guidelines. The Japanese video-sharing platform, Niconico, shows how resisting credit card firms can negatively impact a service.

    Niconico’s Unique Appeal

    Even though YouTube is available in Japan, many users choose Niconico due to its distinct social features. On this platform, users can leave comments on videos, which then appear on the screen while the video plays. According to Automaton, most payment processors were not available for use on Niconico between May 2024 and February 2025. After the site restricted mature content, credit cards, including Visa, started to return. Unfortunately, this disruption caused serious financial harm to Niconico.

    Decline in Revenue

    The platform, owned by Kadokawa, is seeing slow growth in premium memberships. Consequently, its overall revenue has taken a hit. While there may be a chance for recovery, some users have already turned to other options with fewer restrictions. Moreover, Niconico isn’t the only Japanese site facing backlash from powerful payment processors. Manga Library Z, which featured out-of-print manga, had to close down after credit card companies raised concerns about its content.

    Rising Movement Against Risqué Content

    In Japan, there’s a noticeable trend of moving away from accepting risqué material. The situation is alarming, as Niconico, Manga Library Z, and other websites have removed videos and images that did not violate Japanese laws.

    Censorship Concerns

    Critics have voiced their discontent regarding censorship on platforms like Steam and Itch.io. The organization Collective Shout claims to have pressured payment providers to exclude illegal games. However, detractors argue that not all the games in question depict the exploitation of women and girls. Mastercard has denied yielding to these activists, but that hasn’t swayed the skeptics.

    Future Implications for Steam

    While it seems unlikely that Steam, a highly profitable platform, will face the same issues as certain Japanese marketplaces, it has recently stopped accepting PayPal in numerous countries due to concerns over adult-themed content. Gamers are increasingly finding it difficult to make purchases, even for family-friendly games.

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  • Ratatan: Spiritual Successor to Patapon Gets Release Date

    Ratatan: Spiritual Successor to Patapon Gets Release Date

    Key Takeaways

    1. Ratatan will launch in Early Access on Steam on September 19, 2025, after delays for additional polishing.
    2. The game raised nearly $1.5 million from 14,598 backers during its successful Kickstarter campaign.
    3. Community support allowed the developers to achieve stretch goals, including a console version and collaboration with composer David Wise.
    4. Ratatan features online co-op for up to four players, over 100 characters, and gameplay synchronized to a dynamic soundtrack.
    5. A livestream event hosted by voice actor Tomokazu Sugita is scheduled for September 14, 2025, ahead of the Early Access launch.

    The long-awaited spiritual successor to the acclaimed Patapon series, Ratatan, has finally set a new date for its early access launch after some delays. Created by Ratata Arts and TVT Co. Ltd, Ratatan is now confirmed to debut in Early Access on Steam on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 11 am ET, 8 am PT, 4 pm BST, and 12 am JST.

    Delays and Development

    Initially, the game was supposed to come out on July 25, 2025, but the developers decided to postpone it for some extra polishing and adjustments, as they shared last month. Ratatan gained a lot of attention during its Kickstarter campaign, making it the most-funded video game project of 2023.

    In its first hour, Ratatan achieved its funding goal of ¥20 million, or $137,000. By the end of the campaign, it raised a whopping ¥219,314,335, which is nearly $1.5 million, from 14,598 backers.

    Community Support and Achievements

    The incredible support from the gaming community helped Ratata Arts reach many stretch goals, such as creating a console version and teaming up with the famous composer David Wise, who is well-known for his work on the Donkey Kong Country soundtrack.

    Last month, Ratatan was awarded the Vermillion Gate Award at BitSummit, Japan’s largest indie game festival. James Mielke, the founder and head of the judging committee, praised Ratatan saying, “Ratatan brings back the indie spirit found in Patapon, mixing roguelike and rhythm elements with impressive polish, and shows strong potential for a lasting impact in the indie scene.”

    Gameplay Features and Release Announcement

    The game will offer online co-op for up to four players, featuring over 100 characters in large melee battles, all synchronized to an engaging soundtrack. Players will begin their adventure on the island of Rataport, where the Ratatan creatures embark on a quest to The Everafter to meet The Goddess.

    As described by Ratatan, “Gather allies and dance your way to victory, traverse the world of Redo, build your Cobun army, and team up with your pals to defeat any evildoers foolish enough to block your path.”

    With the Early Access launch approaching, Ratata Arts has also announced a livestream on September 14, 2025, hosted by voice actor Tomokazu Sugita on the AGRS YouTube channel.

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  • Steam Store Update: Wider Page for Larger Monitors Launched

    Steam Store Update: Wider Page for Larger Monitors Launched

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Steam Store layout has been widened from 940 pixels to 1200 pixels, improving the display of screenshots and trailers.
    2. Pages will now adapt to different screen sizes, ensuring a good experience on both large and small displays.
    3. Developers can now upload various media formats (.mp4, .png, .jpg, .webp, .webm) for their store pages, enhancing visual content options.
    4. Valve is optimizing media for quality and performance across all devices, including desktops, mobile apps, and the Steam Deck.
    5. The updates are currently in beta, with more Steam UI changes expected in the coming weeks.

    Valve has revealed some fresh updates to its Steam Store, focusing on enhancing the user experience, especially for those using Steam on larger displays.

    New Layout Features

    The latest update has been released in beta form, increasing the width of Steam store pages and adding new media options for developers to better showcase their games. The most significant change is the width increase from 940 pixels to 1200 pixels, with the main content area expanding from 616 pixels to 780 pixels. As per Valve’s announcement:

    “This improves the shopping experience in a number of ways, allowing for bigger screenshots and trailers, and allowing more room to describe your features in the written description area.”

    Adaptive Design

    Valve also pointed out that the pages will adjust properly according to users’ screen sizes, explaining:

    “Of course, the page will still scale down appropriately for smaller screens or smaller browser windows.”

    Along with the layout refresh, Valve is expanding the types of media files developers can utilize in the Steam store page descriptions. In the past, developers were limited to .gif files, but now they can upload .mp4, .png, .jpg, .webp, and .webm formats, with maximum file sizes of 100MB and a 12-second time limit. With these new formats, developers can now “show off your features, demonstrate specific game mechanics, or just add visual flavor to your store page.”

    Enhanced Media Support

    Valve has made these updates easier by handling transcoding through its Steamworks backend, ensuring that videos and media are optimized for quality and performance on desktops, browser windows, the Steam mobile app, and the Steam Deck.

    This update is currently accessible in the Steam client beta, which users can find in the Interface tab under the Settings option. Valve plans to keep the beta version active for a few weeks to make further adjustments before the final public release.

    Valve’s goal with these updates is to enable users to fully utilize modern screen sizes and resolutions while also increasing page load speeds for mobile and handheld devices.

    Moreover, Valve has hinted that users should look forward to more Steam UI changes in the upcoming weeks, suggesting that this could be a sign of further enhancements to the platform, which has become the leading choice for PC gamers since its inception in 2003.

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  • New Superhero MMO Launching Soon: Old-School Teamplay Awaits

    New Superhero MMO Launching Soon: Old-School Teamplay Awaits

    Key Takeaways

    1. Launch Date and Concept: Ship of Heroes, set in a 25th-century space city, will launch on August 18, 2025, as a spiritual successor to City of Heroes, blending classic superhero themes with modern gameplay elements.

    2. Extensive Player Customization: Players can choose from five archetypes, mix over 250 powers, and create unique backstories, while also having personalized apartments for crafting and social interactions.

    3. Cooperative Gameplay Features: The game supports cooperative play for up to ten players, with adjustable enemy difficulty and mission customization, but requires players to form groups through direct communication.

    4. Solo Play Accessibility: Most content can be completed solo, with only two major raids needing a group, providing flexibility for players who prefer to play alone.

    5. Payment Model and Community Response: The game will use a one-time purchase and monthly subscription model, without real-money transactions, and community reactions are mixed, showing both excitement and skepticism ahead of the launch.

    On August 18, 2025, Heroic Games Corporation will invite gamers into a expansive space city set in the 25th century. The environment deliberately mirrors City of Heroes, the much-loved superhero MMO from 2004 that ended its service in 2012 yet has been legally accessible on private servers since 2024. Ship of Heroes markets itself as a spiritual descendant, fusing the nostalgia of classic superhero themes with a sprinkle of Star Trek essence and contemporary quality-of-life enhancements.

    Player Customization and Goals

    Gamers can select from five different archetypes, blend over 250 powers, and personalize their heroes from head to toe – including crafting a unique backstory. The main objective is precisely what one would anticipate from a superhero game: safeguarding the planet. Players will face threats ranging from interdimensional giants to alien attacks and mystical hazards. In addition to the thrilling heroics, there is also room for housing, crafting, and social interactions. Starting at level one, every player will have their individual apartment, which includes freely placeable furniture, adjustable lighting, and fully customizable spaces.

    Cooperative Play and Flexibility

    Ship of Heroes highlights cooperative gameplay, structured to provide ample flexibility. Up to ten players can join forces, with enemy difficulty and loot scaling automatically to align with the group. Team leaders have the ability to tailor missions for everyone, teleport members, and claim extra rewards. Useful quality-of-life options like the “Regroup” teleport and sidekicking – which adjusts friends’ levels to the leader’s – enrich the experience. However, automatic matchmaking is not available; players must form groups through direct communication, honoring traditional MMO community norms.

    Solo Play and Payment Model

    For players who like to go solo, there’s no need to feel left out – nearly all content can be completed alone. Only two major raids necessitate a group, and rewards from these can also be obtained through alternative methods.

    Ship of Heroes intends to adopt a traditional payment system: a one-time purchase alongside a monthly subscription fee. The exact pricing details are yet to be announced, but developers have assured that there will be no real-money transactions for premium skins or loot boxes.

    Responses to Ship of Heroes on Reddit show a mix of skepticism. Some players are excited about the new team features, viewing them as a natural progression from City of Heroes, while others express negative comparisons to the original or critique the graphics. Everyone will have the opportunity to form their own opinion starting August 18, when the game officially launches on Steam. As for Steam Deck compatibility (available on Amazon for $470), it has yet to be confirmed.

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  • New Free Games Added to Steam Collection

    New Free Games Added to Steam Collection

    Key Takeaways

    1. Steam has added new free games to its collection.
    2. Newly released games currently lack player ratings.
    3. Some titles have received positive early feedback from players.
    4. Players are enjoying the gameplay and overall experience of these new games.
    5. More reviews and ratings are expected soon for better insights on the titles.

    Steam has added more free games to its collection with a fresh batch of new titles. As is typical, these newly released free games don’t have player ratings yet, since they just came out. However, a few of them have been positively received by players who have given them a shot.

    New Titles Gaining Attention

    Among the new additions, several games have caught the attention of gamers. While the official ratings are not yet available, early feedback from those who have played these titles indicates a promising reception. Players seem to be enjoying the gameplay and overall experience.

    Keep an Eye on Updates

    As these games continue to attract players, it’s likely that more reviews and ratings will come in soon. This will provide a clearer picture of which titles are really standing out in this latest wave of free offerings. Keep checking back for the latest news and player feedback on these exciting new releases.

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  • Free Stardew Valley-Inspired Game Now Available on Steam

    Free Stardew Valley-Inspired Game Now Available on Steam

    Key Takeaways

    1. Everdream Village is a management game similar to Stardew Valley, focusing on building and managing your own farm.
    2. Players can explore unique biomes, gathering rare resources and uncovering secrets that aid in game progression.
    3. The game features a crafting system, allowing players to create items to help with quests and enhance their farm.
    4. Players interact with various characters, deepening the storyline and completing side quests for rewards.
    5. Everdream Village is currently under development, with a demo available on Steam and early access expected by the end of 2025.

    Stardew Valley has gained huge popularity globally. This is no accident, as it’s a management game filled with numerous objectives and exciting surprises. If you enjoy this type of game, you might also be interested in Everdream Village, which is another title in the same genre that has the potential to be a big success.

    Building Your Dream Farm

    In case you haven’t heard about it yet, Everdream Village is crafted by Mooneaters. In this game, you get to create your own farm. But that’s not all; you’ll also need to cultivate the land by planting vegetables and other crops, care for your animals, and even terraform the surroundings to enhance your farming business.

    Adventure Awaits

    Everdream Village offers more than just farming. Exploration plays a key role in your journey. As you progress, you’ll unveil unique biomes filled with secrets and mysteries. You can gather various resources, some of which are quite rare, aiding you in advancing the storyline and upgrading your farm.

    Crafting and Characters

    This game, while drawing inspiration from Stardew Valley, also includes a crafting system. With it, you can create numerous items that will assist you in your quests or enhance your farm. Additionally, you’ll meet various characters during your explorations, which will help you dive deeper into the main narrative while completing side quests for rewards.

    If this sounds interesting and you’re eager to play, keep in mind that Everdream Village is still under development. However, you can try out a demo on Steam to get a taste of the game. There’s no official release date yet, but early access is anticipated by the end of 2025. Moreover, other titles related to this series can also be found on Steam, with some even offering special promotions.

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  • Classic City Builder Remake Launches on Steam with 99% Positive Reviews

    Classic City Builder Remake Launches on Steam with 99% Positive Reviews

    Key Takeaways

    1. Game Overview: A Kingdom for Keflings, a laid-back construction game from NinjaBee, returns as A World of Keflings with updated graphics and gameplay.

    2. New Features: The game introduces Builder Brothers to assist with resource management and supports cooperative play for up to eight players.

    3. Control Options: Players can use full mouse and keyboard controls, touch inputs, and classic controllers for the first time.

    4. Positive Reception: A World of Keflings has received over 200 reviews on Steam, with 99% being positive, leading to high popularity on the platform.

    5. Availability: The game is priced at about $11 on Steam, with a free demo available, although it doesn’t officially support the Steam Deck yet.

    It’s 2008, and the Xbox 360 has been out for roughly three years. In a world filled with action-packed hits like Gears of War 2 and Fable II, a unique, laid-back construction game from NinjaBee made its entrance – A Kingdom for Keflings. Swapping out thrills and explosions for a more relaxed vibe, the game allows you to become a gentle giant assisting cute little villagers in building their kingdom. Now, over 15 years later, this beloved title is making its return.

    A New Take on an Old Favorite

    A World of Keflings is a fresh version of the classic game, keeping its cozy feel while refreshing both the graphics and gameplay. The visuals are inspired by the remastered Wii U version from 2014 but have been specifically upgraded for modern PCs. A notable new addition is the Builder Brothers – tiny helpers that make resource management easier and lessen the need for constant oversight. The cooperative aspect has seen significant improvements too. Unlike the original, which only allowed two players to team up online, the new Steam edition accommodates up to eight players working together. Control options have also broadened: for the first time, the game supports full mouse and keyboard usage alongside touch inputs and classic controllers.

    Positive Reception from Players

    So far, A World of Keflings has received fantastic feedback. Since it launched on July 29, the delightful construction game has amassed over 200 reviews on Steam, with a remarkable 99% being positive. This strong response has helped it rise to the top of SteamDB’s “Hot Releases” chart. As per SteamDB, the peak number of players is around 300. The game costs about $11 on Steam, with a free demo available for those wanting to give it a test run. Although there’s no official support for the Steam Deck (which can be found on Amazon for $470) yet, gamers might still try to run it on the device.

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  • GTA-Like Game Loses Players: Is Its End Near?

    GTA-Like Game Loses Players: Is Its End Near?

    Key Takeaways

    1. Poor Reception: MindsEye received a low Metacritic score of 37 and many negative Steam reviews, leading to a decline in player engagement.

    2. Lack of Engagement: Player numbers have dropped significantly, with only 30 users playing in the last 24 hours and a maximum of 51 Twitch viewers.

    3. Dramatic Fall in Popularity: The game’s peak player count on Steam was 3,302, while Twitch saw 138,686 viewers at launch, but these numbers have since plummeted.

    4. Delayed Updates: Upcoming content updates, including a crossover with Hitman, have been postponed, disappointing fans and affecting engagement.

    5. Optimism for Future: Despite current challenges, Build A Rocket Boy remains hopeful for MindsEye’s future with planned updates, though its ability to recover is uncertain.

    The video game industry can be tough on titles that seemed to have a lot of potential. A clear example is MindsEye, which had a lot to offer but is now facing serious challenges, despite the hard work of the Build A Rocket Boy studio.

    Poor Reception

    With a disappointing Metacritic score of 37 and countless negative reviews on Steam, this game appears to be on a fast track to obscurity. Just a month after its launch, players have started to abandon it. Data from SteamDB shows that only 30 users have played the game in the last 24 hours.

    Lack of Engagement

    Additionally, video games often get streamed on platforms like Twitch, where they’re usually promoted with rewards, such as for the upcoming GTA VI. Yet, even here, the numbers are grim, with a maximum of 51 viewers in the last day. This indicates that the game is light years away from its peak stats, which were not very impressive to begin with. Its highest recorded player count is 3,302 on Steam, while Twitch saw 138,686 viewers during its launch, but those figures have dramatically fallen since then. Moreover, several upcoming content updates have been delayed, including a much-anticipated crossover with Hitman, which has left fans feeling let down.

    Future Prospects

    Despite the current setbacks, Build A Rocket Boy is optimistic about MindsEye’s future. They are planning to release updates in the coming months that could rejuvenate this title, which is currently in a downward spiral.

    However, it remains uncertain if the game can innovate and regain its footing. As of now, it seems to have slipped from the minds of gamers, with a flood of negative reviews continuing to appear online.

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  • New Action Platformer Launches with Free Demo and Discount

    New Action Platformer Launches with Free Demo and Discount

    Key Takeaways

    1. Return to 2D Style: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound marks a return to the classic 2D style of the series, offering a new side-scrolling adventure in the NES universe.

    2. Gameplay Mechanics: Players control Kenji Mozu, utilizing fast-paced melee combat, acrobatic movements, and “hypercharged” attacks, with a second character, Kumori, adding teleportation and ranged attacks.

    3. Favorable Reviews: The game has received positive feedback, holding an average score of 87/100 on OpenCritic, with praise for its controls, combat, pixel art, and replayability.

    4. Free Demo Available: A free demo allows players to experience the first four levels and test the mechanics before purchasing the game.

    5. Launch Discount: Ragebound is priced at $22.49, with a 10% discount available during the launch period until August 7.

    Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, which was released on Steam on July 31, marks a return to the beloved 2D style of the series, adding a new twist along with a free demo for those interested. This game was developed by The Game Kitchen, known for Blasphemous, and is published by Dotemu. Ragebound is available on various digital platforms including PC, Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, as well as Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S. The game is priced at $22.49, which includes a 10% discount during the launch period, valid on Steam until August 7.

    A New Adventure

    Ragebound is not a remake; it is a new side-scrolling platformer set in the classic NES Ninja Gaiden universe. Players take on the role of Kenji Mozu, a young ninja from the Hayabusa clan. His mission is to protect his village from invading demons while Ryu Hayabusa is away. The game features fast-paced action, with most enemies defeated in a single slash, though tougher foes and bosses require a more varied set of techniques. The gameplay includes melee combat, acrobatic movements like wall climbing and mid-air dashes, and powerful “hypercharged” attacks as players navigate through various platforming levels. Additionally, a second character, Kumori, later joins the fray, bringing teleportation, ranged attacks, and alternate dimensions into play.

    Positive Reception

    So far, reviews have been quite favorable on Steam. On OpenCritic, the game holds an average score of 87/100, with 93% of critics endorsing it. Critics commend its smooth controls, fair yet challenging combat, stunning pixel art, and replayability through hard modes and collectible side content. While the normal difficulty is designed to be accessible, the hard mode takes players back to the challenging nature reminiscent of the original trilogy. Some critiques mention longer levels and limited checkpoints at higher difficulties, but the performance has generally been well-received across PC and Steam Deck (currently priced at $770 on Amazon), with comprehensive controller support right from the start.

    The free demo allows players to experience the first four levels and try out the moves of both protagonists, giving a sneak peek at the precise controls and unique mechanics before committing to the $22.49 purchase. Overall, Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound appears to be a true homage to the franchise’s 2D legacy, while also bringing in modern updates.

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  • Mastercard Reacts to Steam Games Ban Over Adult Content Issues

    Mastercard Reacts to Steam Games Ban Over Adult Content Issues

    Key Takeaways

    1. Steam and Itch.io removed thousands of games with adult themes to comply with payment processor guidelines.
    2. Mastercard clarified that it did not mandate game restrictions but emphasized the need to prevent unlawful purchases.
    3. Gamers reacted negatively to the bans, leading to significant backlash and a petition on Change.org.
    4. Collective Shout, an advocacy group, lobbied payment processors to pressure vendors against adult content, causing further controversy.
    5. Itch.io is exploring alternative payment processors while reinstating free adult-oriented games, distancing itself from Mastercard’s policies.

    Recently, the large-scale removal of Steam games that feature adult themes has caused a stir in the gaming industry. Itch.io soon followed suit, taking down more than 20,000 independent titles that contained NSFW material. Both companies mentioned that they were adhering to the guidelines set by payment processors such as Visa, Mastercard, and Stripe. In response to backlash, including a petition on Change.org, Mastercard released a statement to clarify its involvement in the bans.

    Mastercard’s Position

    The credit card company asserts that it did not “evaluate any game or mandate restrictions on activities on game creator sites and platforms.” However, Mastercard reiterates that it is essential for merchants to prevent “unlawful purchases, including illegal adult content.” This particular aspect of the statement has incited significant outrage among gamers. While it’s true that some Steam games may have encouraged illegal activities, other games appear to be targeted merely because they contain adult themes.

    Gamers’ Reactions

    After receiving numerous angry calls and emails from gamers, Mastercard likely felt it needed to address the situation. The company maintains that it doesn’t play a direct role in determining which games marketplaces are allowed to sell. Nonetheless, the advocacy group Collective Shout asserts that it lobbied payment processors to exert pressure on these vendors. This Australian organization stands against the objectification of women and the sexualization of girls. Despite this, critics argue that the group campaigns against all mature content based on moral or political reasons.

    Itch.io’s Approach

    Regarding Itch.io, Mastercard can more easily distance itself from the ongoing debate. The gaming platform primarily uses Stripe and PayPal for transactions rather than Mastercard or Visa. Stripe is more transparent about its policy of not permitting retailers to sell any mature-themed games, videos, or art. Itch.io is currently seeking out alternative payment processors while reinstating free adult-oriented games.

    On Reddit and various forums, the feedback to Mastercard’s explanation has been far from supportive. Major credit card companies will likely continue to face backlash from consumers who feel that games are being unfairly censored.

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