Valve, the company behind the popular Steam platform, is facing criticism for allegedly violating its own guidelines with the Steam store page for its upcoming game, Deadlock. The controversy arose when a developer pointed out that the Deadlock page lacks the required number of screenshots—a seemingly minor detail, but one that has sparked a larger conversation about fairness and transparency on the platform.

The Rule Violation

The issue was highlighted by 3DGlyptics, a developer working on the upcoming game BC Piezophile. In a tweet that quickly gained traction, 3DGlyptics called out Valve for not adhering to its own rule that requires developers to provide at least five screenshots on their Steam store pages. Instead, the Deadlock page features only a single, 22-second teaser video—clearly falling short of the standard set by Steam’s own guidelines.

The Developer’s Argument

3DGlyptics didn’t hold back in expressing frustration, stating in all caps, “I AM NOT LAUGHING AND THIS IS NOT A JOKE. VALVE SOFTWARE IS ACTIVELY VIOLATING THEIR OWN RULES.” The developer’s complaint is rooted in the fact that Valve, as a Steamworks Partner, is theoretically subject to the same rules as other developers on the platform.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Valve has been caught bending its own rules. Earlier this year, during a sale on The Orange Box, Valve added a “winner of over 100 awards” sticker to the game’s header art, which goes against Steam’s policy prohibiting review scores and awards on graphical assets. In that case, Valve quickly corrected the issue after it was pointed out.

Is Valve Above Its Own Rules?

While it’s easy to dismiss this as a trivial issue—after all, Valve owns Steam and can technically do as it pleases—the complaint does raise important questions about fairness on the platform. If Valve expects other developers to follow these guidelines, should it not hold itself to the same standard?

Despite the legitimacy of 3DGlyptics’ complaint, it’s unlikely that Valve will face any significant repercussions. However, the situation has shed light on the importance of consistency and fairness in how platform rules are enforced.

Final Thoughts

This controversy serves as a reminder that even giants like Valve need to be mindful of the rules they set, especially when those rules apply to everyone else on the platform. While the outcome of this particular case may be inconsequential, it highlights the need for transparency and equality in the gaming industry.

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