In a fortunate turn of events for fans of Nighthawks, the developers of the vampire-themed RPG have successfully removed the controversial ‘Adult Only’ rating that was mistakenly assigned to their game on Steam. This rating, which could have severely limited the game’s visibility and accessibility, was withdrawn just in time for the scheduled launch on 22 September.
Mislabelled, Then Celebrated
Nighthawks, a text-driven RPG, became an unexpected victim of Valve’s updated content guidelines when it received the ‘Adult Only’ classification days before its release. Such a tag typically restricts visibility on Steam and can even prevent the game from appearing in some countries. However, following a swift appeal, the developers announced that the game was cleared for a standard release.
Clarification on Content
In a statement issued via Steam, the developers clarified the nature of the game’s content, emphasising that while it contains mature elements and has some suggestive scenes, it is not explicit. Any adult content is presented via text only, and instances of nudity are discreetly covered using props and strategic hand placements.
An Unexpected Positive Outcome
Despite the initial alarm, the incident had a surprising upside for Nighthawks. The developers noted that they received assistance from Valve in quickly addressing the rating issue. Publicity surrounding the mix-up led to a dramatic increase in the game’s wishlists, effectively doubling them overnight. While the stress of the situation was acknowledged, the developers expressed gratitude for the heightened exposure.
Challenges for Indie Developers
The developers also recognised their fortunate position in having a supportive fanbase and visibility that helped resolve the problem quickly, noting that many indie developers may not have the same resources. This incident has sparked further dialogue about the challenges faced by creators of mature content games during the submission process on platforms like Steam and how they might impact indie developers.
Broader Industry Concerns
Nighthawks is not alone in facing scrutiny from digital storefronts. Similar grievances have been raised by multiple queer developers concerning Steam and Itch.io’s stringent content guidelines. Other games, such as the satirical open-world project Future? No Thanks, have also encountered comparable challenges due to mild adult content.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.