UK Minister Condemns Steam Over Game Promoting Non-Consensual Sex and Violence

Warning: This article contains references to extreme sexual violence - discretion is advised. Following intense criticism, Zerat Games has announced the withdrawal of its explicit visual novel from Steam. The decision comes after the game was removed from sale in several countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia. In a statement, the developer expressed its intention to avoid causing problems for Steam and its parent company, Valve. The UK's home secretary, Yvette Cooper, emphasized that upcoming legislation will ensure online platforms adhere to certain standards, stating that such vile content is already illegal. Earlier, technology secretary Peter Kyle denounced Steam for hosting the game, which features non-consensual sexual contact, rape, and incest, calling for its immediate removal. Kyle expects tech companies to remove offensive content promptly and suggested that the media watchdog Ofcom should take action. The Game Ratings Authority noted that while digital games are not required to carry age ratings, most leading stores use the PEGI system to provide consumer confidence. The CEO of Women in Games, Dr. Marie-Claire Isaaman, condemned the game's availability on Steam, urging the platform to remove it and implement stronger content moderation policies.