A UK minister has criticized the gaming platform Steam for hosting a game that promotes "non-consensual sexual contact" and sexual violence

Content Warning: This article discusses extreme sexual violence - please proceed with caution.

Update, April 11, 2025: Zerat Games has decided to pull its controversial visual novel from Steam after the game was banned in the UK, Canada, and Australia.

The announcement was made on the game's now-restricted Steam page, where the developer stood by its content but agreed to the removal.

"We are not looking for conflict worldwide, and we certainly do not wish to create issues for Steam and Valve," stated the developer.

Responding to the game's removal from Steam in the UK on April 10, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told LBC about the new measures in the Online Safety Act designed to enforce platform standards.

Cooper mentioned, "Such offensive content is illegal now, and we're enhancing our capabilities through the online safety act currently being implemented."

Original report, April 9, 2025: Peter Kyle, the UK Technology Secretary, criticized Valve's Steam platform for hosting a visual novel with explicit content featuring non-consensual actions, sexual assault, and incest.

Labeled with warnings of "graphic sex and violence, mature language, nudity, and graphic sexual acts," Zerat Games' "No Mercy" included elements of incest and coercive sex. The game did not require specific age-verification aside from asking users to affirm they are over eighteen. Furthermore, it necessitated a purchase to access.

"These tech companies should be prompt in taking down content once notified," Kyle told LBC. "The law demands it, and as Secretary of State, I insist on this, especially for platforms engaged with British society and economy."

Kyle pressed for the communications regulator Ofcom to take action, though Ofcom stated it "cannot investigate individual complaints."

"Ofcom is the enforcing body," Kyle added. "They will decide on the appropriate timeframe for content removal."

The Game Ratings Authority, which manages the PEGI system in the UK, remarked: "Game ratings provide crucial information about video game content to consumers. UK law mandates physical game releases to have a PEGI rating. This requirement doesn't extend to digital games, yet most major stores adhere to the PEGI system."

The authority explained that while Steam games could acquire a PEGI rating, it is not required before release, and "No Mercy" had not been rated through their system.

LBC reported it had informed Steam about the game five days prior, but it remained available in the UK as of the writing.

Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz, Dr. Marie-Claire Isaaman of Women in Games expressed her dismay: "It's distressing that a game prompting players to act on misogyny is hosted on a major platform like Steam. This kind of content implies violence against women is acceptable and even entertaining, which should never be the case."

"Our organization, Women in Games, exists to counteract the biases and toxicity driving away women and marginalized genders from the gaming industry."

"We urge Valve, the company behind Steam, to promptly remove this game and strengthen their moderation policies with a firm stance against misogyny and hate."

We have approached Valve for their comments and will update this article upon their response.