Better options for 18+ content

[dreamsaver]

This is with no disrespect or judgement to anyone, no matter what type of games they enjoy.

I would like to ask for 2 additional functions in the filtering of games with 18+ sexual content.

1) Just because a person is not averse to being recommended games with this content, does not mean that they are necessarily happy to see that particular content out of context while scrolling the Steam store. Particularly if you happen to be scrolling the store in public or in front of friends / family. The only way to stop this seems to be to hide these games, and it's not all of them that are a problem, or not necessarily in all contexts. It would be best if these games could be indicated for 18+ content in some other way, and the preview of that type of content be accessed only on clicking on the item (or something else that requires inferred or explicit consent). It feels really odd to have a site that is not specifically 100% explicit just casually spamming searchers with highly explicit scenes while scrolling.

2) Please find a way to differentiate between stories that may have something beyond kissing in them and stories that are very heavy in sexually explicit actions / functions (e.g., hentai). These are 2 different things and different people may be comfortable (or not) with either one of them. It would also help developers not to be mistaken for porn for including one intimate scene as part of an in-depth story. Sometimes porn is what people are looking for, but when it's not it's important to be able to differentiate.

[Zarineth]

Turning Adult Only filter back on would fix both of your issues.

[Haj]

Messaggio originale di Zarineth:

Turning Adult Only filter back on would fix both of your issues.

It would do the exact opposite.

I agree with both suggestions. An 80 hour VN with five explicit sex scenes in it is really not the same as a game that is entirely people doing it.

[Cathulhu]

Which is exactly what the Adult Only Sexual Content category is for, for those games.
If you disable that category, it won't remove games with some erotic content like the Witcher games or Cyberpunk 2077 for example.

[Crazy Tiger]

Messaggio originale di jcapernicus:

It feels really odd to have a site that is not specifically 100% explicit just casually spamming searchers with highly explicit scenes while scrolling.

Does it? I have Adult Only disabled and I never run into those games.

Messaggio originale di jcapernicus:

2) Please find a way to differentiate between stories that may have something beyond kissing in them and stories that are very heavy in sexually explicit actions / functions (e.g., hentai).

Already exists, it's the difference between the Sexual Content (for example witcher 3, Mass Effect, etc) and the Adult Only ("porn" games) categories.

[TGC> The Games Collector]

1
So basically ; keep em out the store front and only in the AO category?
Seems sensible enough, and it's not like they'll be harder to find.

2
Seems more 'up to the devs' kind of thing. If they think their game is explicit, or it's seen explicit by laws, they will list their game as such. Even if you think it's mild.

[Spawn of Totoro]

There are already three options, with examples in them:

https://store.steampowered.com/account/preferences/

Some Nudity or Sexual Content 
Games or content that contain some nudity or sexual themes, but not as the primary focus.
View Example Products

Frequent Nudity or Sexual Content 
Games or content that primarily feature nudity or sexual themes. By ticking this box you affirm that you are at least eighteen years old.
View Example Products

Adult Only Sexual Content 
Games or content that are sexually explicit or graphic and are intended for adults only. By ticking this box you affirm that you are at least eighteen years old.
View Example Products

So I there is already some finer control over the content shown. I suggest exploring the options for more information and the examples.

As for the first suggestion, as has been said, you should simply turn off the above content (the last two specifically) when you do not wish to view it. It is quick and simply to do. Better yet, keep them turned off until you wish to see said content.

[dreamsaver]

Messaggio originale di Crazy Tiger:

Messaggio originale di jcapernicus:

It feels really odd to have a site that is not specifically 100% explicit just casually spamming searchers with highly explicit scenes while scrolling.

Does it? I have Adult Only disabled and I never run into those games.

Messaggio originale di jcapernicus:

2) Please find a way to differentiate between stories that may have something beyond kissing in them and stories that are very heavy in sexually explicit actions / functions (e.g., hentai).

Already exists, it's the difference between the Sexual Content (for example witcher 3, Mass Effect, etc) and the Adult Only ("porn" games) categories.

Thank you for this suggestion, but this doesn't address the issues raised as it's not used in the filtering as a category you can turn on in the background. My post is aimed at getting a more exact options for the filters so that people can avoid things that make them uncomfortable either all together or without having specifically engaged with that game.

[dreamsaver]

Messaggio originale di TGC> The Games Collector:

1
So basically ; keep em out the store front and only in the AO category?
Seems sensible enough, and it's not like they'll be harder to find.

2
Seems more 'up to the devs' kind of thing. If they think their game is explicit, or it's seen explicit by laws, they will list their game as such. Even if you think it's mild.

I don't think it's necessarily about having them in the storefront, but having video start automatically playing as you scroll without having clicked on anything, or having them start playing video with audio as you go through your recommended queue is not the greatest!

Yes, the devs would need to choose the option, but separating these into 2 separate options in the filtering of your account would enable people to block things they weren't interested (e.g., if you wanted to see porn-like games but not big stories with explicit scenes, you could. Or vice versa. Whatever anyone is comfortable with.)

[dreamsaver]

Messaggio originale di Cathulhu:

Which is exactly what the Adult Only Sexual Content category is for, for those games.
If you disable that category, it won't remove games with some erotic content like the Witcher games or Cyberpunk 2077 for example.

It actually does remove any game with explicit content, even if it's not the point or ultimate goal of the game. It's a very broad category. Whether people are comfortable seeing games with explicit intimacy as part of a bigger story is often different to whether they're looking for straight up porn.

[dreamsaver]

Messaggio originale di Zarineth:

Turning Adult Only filter back on would fix both of your issues.

Not quite ;) But thanks for trying to help!

[dreamsaver]

Messaggio originale di Haj:

Messaggio originale di Zarineth:

Turning Adult Only filter back on would fix both of your issues.

It would do the exact opposite.

I agree with both suggestions. An 80 hour VN with five explicit sex scenes in it is really not the same as a game that is entirely people doing it.

Thanks for understanding the situation! It's a tricky one!!

[Crazy Tiger]

Messaggio originale di jcapernicus:

Messaggio originale di Crazy Tiger:

Does it? I have Adult Only disabled and I never run into those games.


Already exists, it's the difference between the Sexual Content (for example witcher 3, Mass Effect, etc) and the Adult Only ("porn" games) categories.

Thank you for this suggestion, but this doesn't address the issues raised as it's not used in the filtering as a category you can turn on in the background. My post is aimed at getting a more exact options for the filters so that people can avoid things that make them uncomfortable either all together or without having specifically engaged with that game.

Right, you want such filters to be selectable on the search page?

How are the current options not exact? They provide examples in the options via a link so people can understand what is getting filtered.

Just trying to get clear what it is you really want to suggest.

[dreamsaver]

Messaggio originale di Spawn of Totoro:

There are already three options, with examples in them:

https://store.steampowered.com/account/preferences/

Some Nudity or Sexual Content 
Games or content that contain some nudity or sexual themes, but not as the primary focus.
View Example Products

Frequent Nudity or Sexual Content 
Games or content that primarily feature nudity or sexual themes. By ticking this box you affirm that you are at least eighteen years old.
View Example Products

Adult Only Sexual Content 
Games or content that are sexually explicit or graphic and are intended for adults only. By ticking this box you affirm that you are at least eighteen years old.
View Example Products

So I there is already some finer control over the content shown. I suggest exploring the options for more information and the examples.

As for the first suggestion, as has been said, you should simply turn off the above content (the last two specifically) when you do not wish to view it. It is quick and simply to do. Better yet, keep them turned off until you wish to see said content.

Hi there! Thanks for trying to help but this doesn't cover the scenarios listed :) The nature of the content in both situations I'm talking about is explicit, not just nudity or sexual themes. But, to borrow from a fellow responder who identified the critical issue, "An 80 hour VN with five explicit sex scenes in it is really not the same as a game that is entirely people doing it."

This is about allowing people more autonomy about where and how they experience the 18+ content, not about filtering or blocking it all together :)

I hope that's a bit clearer!

[dreamsaver]

Messaggio originale di Crazy Tiger:

Messaggio originale di jcapernicus:

Thank you for this suggestion, but this doesn't address the issues raised as it's not used in the filtering as a category you can turn on in the background. My post is aimed at getting a more exact options for the filters so that people can avoid things that make them uncomfortable either all together or without having specifically engaged with that game.

Right, you want such filters to be selectable on the search page?

How are the current options not exact? They provide examples in the options via a link so people can understand what is getting filtered.

Just trying to get clear what it is you really want to suggest.

Have a bit of a look at the other replies on the page I've just put up :) It's about when and how you see the content, not about the type of content :)

[davidb11]

Except the Adult Only filter fixes all your complaints.
Either enable it, and not see any adult games, or simply don't complain about any adult stuff.
Also, videos don't play by default unless you look at the game's store page, and don't have an image selected.

I've never seen an adult game on Steam that forces you to see anything without even looking at the store page.

I'm sorry, but there really is no reason to need advanced options when one option already does what you want.