Post by samapatti in LMA 1/2 Out on STEAM! comments

Viewing post in LMA 1/2 Out on STEAM! comments

Hi there,

I just tried to see it in the Steam-Store here in Germany (but it's similar in other States probably) and couldn't access it.
The Reason for this has been explained by this guy, I think:

There are a few work-arounds, of course - some of which seem to be to get a "USK"-rating (or respective agencies in other countries than Germany) for the countries, that won't allow Media to be published/sold without a proper age-"marker".

'Hope that helps make your cool game more available for people in those countries like Germany. I remember playing the Demo of your Game and found it really cool. But it's a little hurdle - more for some than for others - to have to use a VPN or something similar to get access to Adult Games, of course.

P.S.: And if Steam detects the use of VPNs, one's account also might get suspended (temporarily) since it's against their "Terms and Conditions", I ready on some of their pages...

soulsoftea2 years ago(+1)

Hi there Samapatti!

It's so good to hear from you, your passion for the LMA series and for bringing this to my attention.

Tbh, I thought fulfilling the Adult Content self-rating questionnaire that Steam provides was going to be enough. But after watching that video you provided, it does look like Steam just doesnt have enough strong Age-Verification methods to satisfy Germany's requirements.
I'm unsure if my games would be considered "indexed", and if so, perhaps that means even attempting a USK rating would still be in vain?

Regardless, even if I was able to achieve the greenlight via said USK rating, if that meant having to censor or change LMA 1/2...I would honestly not be OK with having to do that. I think the sexuality and gore in our games, are intrinsic to their DNA and the artistic vision.

Are you able to at least view LMA 1/2 in Germany via itch.io? That's something I'm curious to know as well.

Anyways, thanks again for your support and for letting me know about this! ^^

samapatti2 years ago (2 edits)

Hi there folks,

I'm happy to have been able to help and hopefully this will enable more folks to play your Games since here on itch.io, there are no such restrictions in place so far and therefore it is my main source for buying and playing adult games.

Another option I have found from some creators, who are not present (yet?) here on itch.io, also use Patreon for distributing their Adult Games there ("Bonfire", "Lust for Adventure" for example).

Therefore, it seems that merely Steam is limiting its (International) Audience (in some places) so restrictively - whether itch.io or Patreon have different legal relations, haven't been obliged by such strict requirements yet or whatever reasons are and may be involved there, I have really no clue (yet - even though I'd be curious to find out, if there have been journalists trying to investigate that already, for example).

But I'm glad you could appreciate my feedback since I would truly like adult games - like yours - to be more easily available legally and with financial appreciation for all the work you've been doing.

There are download portals where maybe older versions of some Games are available, too, but they naturally lack the possibility to reward the artists/creators for their work and only serve to spread the word about the existence of Games (why I'm glad many creators here offer public versions (usually with older and outdated or at least limited content - serving as "Demo-Versions") as well as paid "full" versions of their Games.

The only thing I am not certain about is, whether or not the other countries with similarly strict restrictions (maybe [South-]Korea, too and Japan?). It would be quite interesting to know from residents from other such countries if they can access the adult games sold or offered for free here on itch.io and Patreon for that matter.

Cheers and hope it helps you in making your Game(s) more available to a larger audience (which is always good for you, too, of course ^_^ )