What Was Steam Thinking? Highly Controversial Game Finally Removed From Store
Steam has now removed No Mercy video game on all regions after serious criticisms and backlash from agencies and communities.
The internet is one of humanity’s most powerful creations. It connects billions, empowers voices, sparks creativity, and makes nearly anything accessible at the click of a button. But with great connectivity comes great responsibility and at times, great danger.
The gaming industry is no exception. While it has brought joy, community, and artistic expression to millions, it’s also faced its share of controversy. Game platforms and storefronts like Steam have introduced some moderation to keep players, especially younger ones, safe. But every now and then, something slips through the cracks.
And sometimes, that “something” is so egregious, a line must be drawn. Initially, Steam didn’t draw that line. But eventually, it did.
No Mercy Video Game Removed from Steam
The game No Mercy was released on March 22 on PC via Steam, Valve’s massively popular digital game storefront. With millions of daily users, Steam has become a hub for both mainstream and indie games. But No Mercy sparked immediate outrage, not just because of its adult content, but because of its disturbing themes.
The developers described No Mercy as a “3D choice-driven adult Visual Novel with a huge focus on Incest and Male Domination.” Let that sink in.
In the game’s plot, the player learns that their character’s mother has cheated on their father and is then encouraged to “claim her for yourself.” This devolves into multiple scenes where the player coerces women, including their own mother, into intimate situations.
While the description may sound vaguely veiled, one line in particular stood out on the Steam page, “Unveil her deepest secrets, subdue her, and make all women yours.”
The implication is clear, incest and non-consensual acts masked as a “fantasy” visual novel. And people weren’t having it.
From the moment the game launched, Steam was bombarded with backlash. Critics, players, and advocacy groups demanded answers. An online petition surfaced on Change.org, calling for the immediate removal of No Mercy. That petition quickly gained traction, receiving over 10,000 signatures.
The situation escalated on April 9, when UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle publicly condemned the game’s availability on Steam. Shortly after, Valve took action, removing the game from Steam stores in the UK, Australia, and Canada.
UK home secretary criticizes Steam for hosting No Mercy, a game with sexual violence, rape, and incest; Steam removed the game in the UK, Australia, and Canada (@_vixx / https://t.co/r0l8Rgfp9r)https://t.co/izRmfonRwlhttps://t.co/DyFdFFWppqhttps://t.co/ZOzeer1FAj
— Techmeme (@Techmeme) April 10, 2025
The developer behind No Mercy, Zerat Games, responded to the backlash in a public statement. While they confirmed that the game would be removed from Steam, they didn’t back down from the game’s core themes.
“Real incest is disgusting,” Zerat Games stated, “but during s[**], people should really do what they want, as long as they don’t harm anyone.”
The studio framed its work as a reflection of “popular kinks,” including domination and taboo fantasies.
“If after reading [our statement] you still believe that such a game should not have been created, then we sincerely apologize to you,” they continued. “At the same time, we would like you to be a bit more open to human fetishes that don’t harm anyone… This is still just a game.”
As expected, that statement only added fuel to the fire. Following continued criticism and increasing media attention, Valve had no choice but to act decisively. As of April 11, No Mercy has been fully removed from all Steam regions worldwide.
We did it! The game is gone globally from Steam. pic.twitter.com/gyEvC9QMJc
— Coralie Alison (@CoralieAlison) April 11, 2025
While some may argue for artistic freedom and the right to adult content in games, there’s a broader ethical conversation here. Many users are now asking the obvious. How did this even make it onto Steam in the first place? The platform does allow adult-only games under strict guidelines. But No Mercy has crossed some lines not meant even for public viewing.
Yes, the internet is a space for freedom. Yes, adult games exist, and many are handled responsibly. But there’s a moral line and when a game glorifies incest and sexual coercion, especially under the guise of player agency, it goes beyond fantasy.
Steam, as one of the biggest gaming storefronts in the world, holds great influence. With that power comes the obligation to protect its community especially from content that normalizes or trivializes abuse.
Removing No Mercy was the right move. But it also raises a bigger question. What kind of content do we allow into our digital spaces and how can we stop things like this from slipping through the cracks again?
Sending some gaming news your way from a surfing paradise island. Loves creating content, and researching informative facts and useless trivia. A novice in the gaming industry but a veteran in communications and publication.
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