Valve's Steam Heats Up as Porn Games Drive Growing Ecosystem

Valve's Steam Heats Up as Porn Games Drive Growing Ecosystem

LOS ANGELES — With consumer interest in adult gaming on the uptick, an increasing number of users are seeking saucy content on platforms such as Steam — which calls itself “the ultimate destination for playing, discussing and creating games” — and the mainstream media is taking notice.

When the Steam Store opened its doors to virtual reality porn games and other adult titles in June 2018, much of the adult entertainment industry paid little mind, but as XBIZ noted, the move was “a pragmatic position that liberates the exchange of ideas — even when those ideas and depictions might be a bit naughty.”

Now those naughty ideas are spreading.

While “porn” tends to be a trigger word overused by headline-blaring, shock-seeking mainstream media sources, it does describe some of Steam’s racier content; perhaps “adult-oriented” is a better descriptor, as we’re typically talking about cartoons here. This doesn’t mean the platform isn’t of interest to porn fans and pros, however; besides content for end-users, such as bikini-babe puzzles and scantily clad shoot-'em-ups, Steam showcases a variety of creative tools ranging from custom screen saver- and wallpaper-generating apps to full workshops for building complex VR worlds with user avatars and live chat integration, offering a palette of possibilities for brand promotion and product launches that are available to any content creator — from the humblest cam girl to the biggest corporation.

As an example of the growing media interest, a recent report in The Daily Dot guided gaming porn fans through the steps required to access Steam’s treasure trove of steamy titles; such as setting preferences to display games depicting varying degrees of sexuality, including “General Mature Content” and “Adult Only Sexual Content,” along with the use of content tags and site categories to surface the desired titles.

The article serves as one more data point in an upward trend for adult gaming and for Steam in particular, but is this spotlight on Steam’s success good for its growing user base?

It’s a tried-and-true system for success: launch a new digital media sharing platform and then turn a semi-blind eye to what its users are up to until it attains a desirable market share, when adopting stricter acceptable use policies makes the company more attractive to big-dollar investors — and less attractive to busybodies trying to interfere in anything they see as “immoral.”

Steam now sits in the sweet spot between nerd sanctuary and mainstream mainstay — but as it grows, and more folks take notice, the easy access to lewd games it offers may become a lightning rod for party poopers incensed that something so youthful as “playing games” could also entertain adults.

Hopefully, Steam will continue to thrive by embracing the needs of its user community and help to drive the growing market for adult gaming forward.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More