Developers Condemn Bigotry on Steam, World’s Largest PC Gaming Platform
Steam, the world’s largest PC gaming platform, has been criticized for its handling of bigotry and abuse within its community. Developers and players claim that the platform frequently fails to moderate content that violates its own guidelines, particularly when it comes to abusive comments targeting marginalized groups, such as transgender creators.
Concerns Over Moderation on Steam
Content creator Bri “BlondePizza” Moore expressed frustration over the hostile environment on Steam, stating, “Everyone is at one another’s throats in reviews, discussions, and forums.” This culture of abuse is not limited to general interactions but also extends to damaging reviews that can significantly impact game sales.
Case Examples of Detrimental Reviews
In recent years, numerous developers have reported harassment and bigoted behavior. Nathalie Lawhead, a game designer, struggled for two years to remove negative reviews that included personal attacks. Despite Steam’s community guidelines against abusive language, many offensive comments were initially left untouched. Developers like Lawhead often faced a daunting task to remove harmful content, which they felt should have been moderated by Steam directly.
- Example 1: A review of Lawhead’s game, Blue Suburbia, called her a “women who seeks to destroy other’s career,” remaining visible despite a community guideline violation.
- Example 2: Another toxic review stated, “cringe game, made by a liar,” reflecting the hostility many developers encounter.
Culture Wars in Game Reviews
The situation on Steam has escalated to a battleground for culture wars. Developers report targeted harassment campaigns against games with progressive themes or LGBTQ+ characters. For instance, “No Woke” curation lists have been created to identify and disparage titles perceived as too inclusive.
Developers like Ethan, who created the horror game Coven, have faced backlash from curators who direct negative attention based on the developers’ political stances. Such targeting erodes the spirit of community participation on the platform and creates an unsafe environment for both developers and players.
Impacts of Inadequate Moderation
The lack of effective moderation has significant implications. A single negative review can hinder a game’s visibility and success on Steam, which had nearly 42 million concurrent players last month. Developers feel trapped by Steam’s near-monopoly, as they fear the repercussions of calling out abuse without any recourse for effective action.
- Daily Users: Almost 42 million concurrent players.
- Support Tickets: Hundreds of thousands generated weekly regarding moderation issues.
Developers Seeking Solutions
Many developers are exploring alternative solutions to fight against abusive behavior on Steam. Some are investing in personal security measures, while others are hiring their own moderators to manage forums and curb hate speech. Notably, Mike Rose of No More Robots publicly challenged a negative review laden with bigotry, emphasizing the urgent need for change.
In conclusion, the gaming community on Steam continues to grapple with the pervasive issues of bigotry and harassment. Developers are calling for improved moderation practices to foster a more inclusive and safe environment for all gamers. Until significant changes are made, many feel that enduring the toxicity has become a distressing norm on the platform.
