The FMV horror game Vile: Exhumed, developed by Cara Cadaver, was not banned on Steam due to its depiction of violence, but because Valve classified it as ‘adult’, despite the fact that the title does not contain sexual content. Cadaver has repeatedly stated that the game does not include nudity or sexual acts, instead addressing sensitive topics such as assault and abuse. This decision by Valve has generated significant controversy within the community of developers and players, who feel that censorship is being imposed on the works of marginalized artists.
An increasingly conservative society
In response to the ban, DreadXP, the publishing company, along with Cadaver, decided to release Vile as ‘shareware’, a strategy that allows for free download. Additionally, they committed to donating 50% of the profits to Red Door Family Shelter, a charity located in Toronto that helps women and families in situations of violence. “This is not the time for half measures,” stated Hunter Bond, director of DreadXP, emphasizing the importance of sending a strong message against censorship in the video game industry.
The game uses a combination of practical effect images and video sequences to explore dark and challenging themes. According to Cadaver, this experience should not be considered NSFW, as it seeks to tell a meaningful story rather than promote objectification. Valve’s decision to misclassify the game reflects a pattern on the platform of removing titles they consider ‘adult’, which many see as an attack on creative freedom.
In light of this situation, some developers and players have begun to unite to protest against the censorship policies of platforms like Steam, suggesting that this trend could extend even beyond games that contain adult content.
