Steam reverses porn game rating it mistakenly gave to an indie vampire RPG, and despite the stress it was a 'net positive' overall as wishlists on Steam 'basically doubled overnight'

Valve has rescinded the adults-only rating it previously applied to the indie vampire RPG Nighthawks, reversing a decision that had mistakenly placed the game in the wrong category. The change means the game will now appear in standard searches on the Steam storefront and will no longer be blocked from sale in certain regions. Wadjet Eye Games' Dave Gilbert expressed relief at the reversal, stating that the stress had been "very stressful" and that he was "basically swimming in cortisol" throughout the ordeal.

Despite the initial setback, Gilbert acknowledged that the resolution was a "net positive" overall, noting that the number of wishlists on Steam had "basically doubled overnight." The game, which tells the story of a new vampire navigating a world where vampires are known, had initially been rated as adults-only due to its mature content.

However, developer Richard Cobbett described the game's content as "mild" and "far less explicit than anything you'd see on HBO." While the cause of the initial rating remains unclear, Valve was helpful in expediting the review of the appeal and dropping the AO rating. Gilbert expressed gratitude for the resolution, noting that the sudden surge in visibility brought increased attention to the game.

He admitted that not all the new wishlists were sincere, but emphasized that any boost to the game's popularity was beneficial. Gilbert also recognized that his position and fanbase gave him an advantage in resolving the issue quickly, highlighting the challenges faced by independent developers in similar situations.