Valve has been accused of removing an LGBTQ+ game from its Steam platform at the behest of the Russian government

Valve, known for its dominance in the PC gaming universe, is said to have removed certain content on its Steam platform at the urging of Russian authorities.

The news, highlighted by Video Games Industry Memo, indicates that Roskomnadzor, Russia's media oversight agency, demanded the removal of the game Flick Solitaire due to its LGBTQ+ content. The agency argued that certain deck designs within the game, showcasing LGBTQ+ themes, violated Russia's 2006 Federal Law against "promotion of non-traditional sexualities."

Roskomnadzor equated LGBTQ+ content with inappropriate themes and issued directives to Apple, Google, and Steam to remove Flick Solitaire from their stores. While Apple and Google apparently did not comply, Valve acceded by taking down the game from the Russian version of Steam, citing compliance with local regulations.

Valve stated that Flick Games had committed under the Steam Distribution Agreement to ensure the game adhered to all relevant laws. VGIM's request for a statement from Valve went unanswered, and GamesIndustry.biz is also awaiting their response.

Flick Solitaire, available in Russia since 2020 on mobile platforms, only faced regulatory scrutiny upon its Steam launch in October 2025, despite its large player base in the country.

Ian Masters of Flick Games highlighted the significance of supporting LGBTQ+ content, emphasizing the need for platforms like Valve to uphold free speech and human rights.

Valve has a history of controversy over content moderation. In 2018, they declared an open policy for games on Steam, except for those deemed illegal or "straight up trolling."

Earlier in 2025, Valve was criticized by the UK government over Zerat Games' No Mercy, which included explicit content. The game was pulled by the developer, not Valve. In 2023, Valve decided against distributing Santa Ragione's horror game Horses, a move that threatened the studio's future.