Vietnam Blocks Access to Steam

Vietnam has recently imposed a ban on Steam, according to recent reports. As per a translation from VietnamNet cited by Game Developer, the primary reason for this ban appears to be related to Valve's business practices in the country. A representative from a local publishing company claims that Steam has been releasing games in Vietnam without obtaining the necessary government approvals, which is a requirement that domestic game developers must adhere to. The spokesperson described Valve's actions as unfair to local publishers, emphasizing that if authorities do not intervene, the domestic gaming industry will suffer significantly. A Steam user reported that all internet service providers in the country have blocked access to the Steam platform and its website. GamesIndustry.biz has attempted to contact Valve for a statement regarding this matter.