Steam Under Fire: Collective Shout Pushes Payment Giants To Ban Adult Games

Steam in the Hot Seat: Collective Shout’s Bold Move

Hey there, gamers and digital rebels! Buckle up because things are getting spicy in the world of online gaming. Australian advocacy group Collective Shout is coming for Steam with a fiery campaign, aiming to scrub adult games off the platform by hitting where it hurts - the wallet.

Instead of battling through courts, they’re flirting with financial powerhouses like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Stripe, urging them to cut ties with Steam over content they deem harmful. Legal? Doesn’t matter to them. They’re playing hardball, and they’ve got backup from groups in Australia, the US, and the UK.

It’s a daring move, and honestly, a little seductive in its audacity. Collective Shout’s open letter to these payment processors is basically a power play dressed in moral armor. Will it work? Let’s dive deeper.

Financial Pressure: The Unofficial Law of the Internet

Here’s the tea - payment processors are the unofficial bouncers of the digital world. With just a few major players like Visa and Mastercard controlling most online transactions, their word often trumps actual laws. A platform like Steam can’t survive without credit card payments, so when these giants flex, everyone listens.

“We’re not just fighting for what’s legal; we’re fighting for what’s right,” a Collective Shout spokesperson passionately told TweakTown, dismissing legality as the ultimate benchmark.

This isn’t their first rodeo either. Back in 2020, Visa and Mastercard dropped Pornhub over content concerns, and OnlyFans almost banned explicit material in 2021 before sweet-talking their way back with banking partners. It’s clear: money talks louder than legislation.

A History of Wins and Steam’s Stance

Collective Shout’s Track Record

Collective Shout knows how to win. In 2014, they charmed Australian retailers Target and Kmart into yanking Grand Theft Auto V off shelves. Now, with physical stores less relevant, they’re turning their sultry gaze to digital giants like Steam, where traditional retail pressure won’t stick.

They’ve got a knack for stirring the pot, and their latest campaign is no different. By targeting payment processors, they’re bypassing the slow grind of legal battles for a quicker, more seductive knockout punch.

Steam’s Silent Defense

Meanwhile, Steam’s playing it cool. The platform already has age gates and content warnings in place, plus an “Adults Only” opt-in for risqué games. They’ve got strict rules against content involving minors or underage-appearing characters, but beyond that, their policy is pretty open compared to competitors.

Valve, Steam’s parent company, hasn’t batted an eyelash publicly at this campaign. They’re known for staying mum until they’re ready to drop a policy bombshell. For now, adult content stays accessible to those who want it - but will payment pressure force a change?

What’s Next for Digital Freedom?

Here’s the million-dollar question - or maybe billion-dollar, given Steam’s reach. With payment processors holding near-monopoly power over online transactions, their decisions can shape the internet more than any government. Collective Shout’s strategy is a cheeky reminder that financial influence often outshines legal boundaries.

For gamers and content creators, this could be a slippery slope. If Steam bends under pressure, what’s stopping other platforms from facing similar ultimatums? It’s a game of high stakes, and we’re all watching to see who’ll make the next move.

So, what do you think? Is this campaign a protective stand or an overreach? Drop your thoughts below - we’re dying to hear your take on this steamy showdown!