Steam Situation Got Worse

Summary

The speaker discusses the recent controversy over the removal of certain games from Steam, which followed an update to the platform’s TOS in response to demands from payment processors. While the speaker doesn't take issue with the banned games themselves, they criticize the influence of payment processors over content moderation. The speaker also critiques two advocacy groups, Collective Shout and NCOS, for targeting widely accepted games like Detroit: Become Human and GTA V, which weakens their credibility. The video emphasizes the importance of parental responsibility in online safety and advocates for more platform autonomy in content regulation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Payment processors have influenced Steam's decision to remove certain games, causing frustration among users who believe Steam should make its own choices.
• 😀 The core issue is that people feel payment processors shouldn't have the power to dictate what content is available on Steam.
• 😀 Advocate groups, such as Collective Shout and NCOS, played a role in pressuring Steam to remove certain games, which led to further debate over censorship and free expression.
• 😀 Collective Shout's campaigns, including one against *Detroit: Become Human*, show their focus on protecting children online, but the argument is seen as flawed by the speaker because Steam isn't designed for children.
• 😀 The speaker argues that trying to make the internet 'safe for children' is impractical and places the responsibility on parents rather than organizations like Collective Shout.
• 😀 While the speaker agrees with the need for protecting children online, they believe Steam is not an appropriate platform for such efforts, as it often features adult content.
• 😀 The speaker criticizes Collective Shout's tactics, stating that their campaign against games like *Detroit: Become Human* weakens their argument by lumping in problematic games with legitimate ones.
• 😀 NCOS, another advocacy group involved in the campaign, also goes after games like *Honey Pop* and *GTA V*, which the speaker considers extreme and counterproductive.
• 😀 NCOS's advocacy for age verification laws is criticized, as the speaker sees it as a shortsighted move that creates unnecessary personal data collection.
• 😀 Overall, the speaker believes both Collective Shout and NCOS are undermining their own causes by targeting games without a coherent strategy, which results in alienating supporters and making their arguments weaker.

Q & A

What was the reason behind the removal of certain games from Steam?

The removal of certain games from Steam was due to an update in Steam's Terms of Service (TOS) that complied with the demands of payment processors, who wanted these games removed from the platform.

Why does the speaker feel that payment processors should not have the power to decide which games are on Steam?

The speaker believes that payment processors should not have the authority to dictate which games are available on Steam because it undermines Valve's ability to make independent decisions about its platform. The speaker argues that this is problematic, especially when payment processors might not always be on the right side of history.

What role did Collective Shout and NCOS play in the removal of these games?

Collective Shout, an Australian-based group focused on sexual exploitation, and NCOS, a U.S.-based group, were involved in campaigns against certain games. These organizations lobbied for the removal of these games due to their content, further influencing the decisions made by payment processors.

How does the speaker feel about Collective Shout’s approach to advocating for child protection online?

The speaker agrees with the general premise of protecting children online but argues that Steam is not a platform meant for children. The speaker believes that it’s parents' responsibility to monitor their children's online activity rather than external organizations like Collective Shout interfering with the platform.

What criticism does the speaker have about Collective Shout’s campaign against *Detroit: Become Human*?

The speaker criticizes Collective Shout for campaigning against *Detroit: Become Human*, a game rated for mature audiences, which the speaker believes is not suitable for children. The speaker argues that targeting such games alongside more questionable titles weakens Collective Shout's argument.

What does the speaker think about the NCO’s stance on games like *Honey Pop*?

The speaker finds the NCO's campaign against games like *Honey Pop* to be unreasonable, comparing it to a game like *Candy Crush*. The speaker argues that these types of games should not be targeted, as they are relatively harmless and part of a broader misunderstanding of the gaming landscape.

How does the speaker feel about NCOS advocating for age verification laws?

The speaker disagrees with NCOS's advocacy for age verification laws, particularly in places like Texas, because they argue it could lead to the creation of a database of people’s personal information. The speaker views this as a shortsighted and ineffective solution.

What is the speaker’s opinion about Vice's article on these advocacy groups and why was it removed?

The speaker notes that Vice published an article about these advocacy groups, detailing their past actions and current campaigns. However, the article was later removed, which the speaker finds troubling, as it discussed the organizations’ overreaching efforts and provided valuable context.

How does the speaker compare the actions of Collective Shout and NCOS to those of PETA?

The speaker compares Collective Shout and NCOS to PETA, suggesting that while all these organizations may have good intentions, their approach ultimately alienates the public and damages their credibility by targeting issues in an unreasonable or exaggerated manner.

What is the speaker’s overall view on the actions of Collective Shout and NCOS?

The speaker’s overall view is that while Collective Shout and NCOS may be trying to address important issues, they are doing so in a way that harms their credibility and causes unnecessary backlash. The speaker feels that their actions often undermine the legitimacy of their cause by targeting widely accepted or mainstream games, leading people to dismiss their concerns.