Valve sparks outrage by removing the LGBTQ+ inclusive game Flick Solitaire from Steam in Russia, bowing to Kremlin censorship demands while Apple and Google refuse.
‘This isn’t “wokeness”, it’s basic human rights and equality and nothing more,’ he added. ‘If Steam can’t support free speech of LGBTQ+ people, then at the very least they should be transparent about this.’
What a bizarre response. Neither Roskomnadzor nor Valve claimed this had anything to do with “‘wokeness,’” and Steam was in fact transparent about this.
I don’t really get what anyone expects Valve to do here other than comply with the law. Still, I’m surprised they’re even able to operate in Russia given all the sanctions.
The sanctions did impact Steam’s operations in Russia. Russian users currently can’t use any payment methods to buy games aside from Steam Wallet funds.
Valve had a big piracy problem in russia and it was ofc because of service issues. While I obviously don’t agree with this censorship and would prefer valve to entirely pull out of russia, I can see why they are absolutely not doing that. They want to provide the best PC gaming store service across the world, and they don’t want competitors or piracy to eat into their sales
What a bizarre response. Neither Roskomnadzor nor Valve claimed this had anything to do with “‘wokeness,’” and Steam was in fact transparent about this.
I don’t really get what anyone expects Valve to do here other than comply with the law. Still, I’m surprised they’re even able to operate in Russia given all the sanctions.
Pulling out of Russia entirely is an option. It’s not like they’re relying on them to stay in business.
Well, given the sanctions, this ought to be a given. I don’t understand how valve can operate in Russia at all tbh.
The sanctions did impact Steam’s operations in Russia. Russian users currently can’t use any payment methods to buy games aside from Steam Wallet funds.
Then yeah, I’m surprised valve is cooperating. I suppose they are planning for the future, should the sanctions end.
Right? That was my question, why are they operating there at all right now
Valve had a big piracy problem in russia and it was ofc because of service issues. While I obviously don’t agree with this censorship and would prefer valve to entirely pull out of russia, I can see why they are absolutely not doing that. They want to provide the best PC gaming store service across the world, and they don’t want competitors or piracy to eat into their sales
Imagine all the “Valve could pull out of {country} next!” headlines that would never end
They ignored (legitimate) youth protection laws long enough, they could ignore this one, too.
They could just not comply? What’s Russia gonna do, nuke Gaben’s yacht?
Because Google & Apple don’t comply w/homophobic imperial out-border “laws.”
Are you sure about that? Apple.
Google, fair enough, but I don’t know to what extent they actually do business in Russia. Can you buy a pixel in Russia?
I can’t answer if Pussiansinten can buy a pixel or not. But I guess even Tim Cook needs НКВД money.