Steam打击含强制游戏内广告的游戏

Steam Cracks Down on Forced In-Game Ads and Abandoned Early Access Titles

Valve has solidified its stance against intrusive in-game advertising, creating a dedicated policy page outlining its ban on games requiring players to watch ads for gameplay or reward progression. This longstanding Steamworks term, now prominently featured, addresses a common practice in free-to-play mobile games.

The policy clarifies that games featuring mandatory ads will be prohibited unless the ad elements are removed or the game transitions to a paid model. A free-to-play model with optional microtransactions or DLC is also acceptable, as exemplified by the successful Steam port of Good Pizza, Great Pizza.

This stricter enforcement is likely a response to Steam's explosive growth; SteamDB reports over 18,942 game releases in 2024 alone. Valve's commitment to an ad-free experience remains unwavering.

While disruptive ads are banned, the policy permits product placement and cross-promotions (with proper licensing), such as sponsor logos in racing games. This aims to maintain a high-quality, immersive experience for Steam users.

Furthermore, Steam has implemented a new feature flagging Early Access games neglected for over a year. These listings now display a message indicating the time since the last update and warning that developer information may be outdated. This complements existing user reviews and helps users identify potentially abandoned projects. The community largely welcomes this addition, with some suggesting delisting games abandoned for extended periods.