Valve is introducing major changes to the rules regarding graphics and images used to market games on the Steam platform.
Starting September 1, developers can only include game artwork, the games name, and any official subtitle. Review scores, award names or logos as well as text that markets discounts or text promoting another product will no longer be allowed, as per The Verge.
Valve Redraws Line on Graphical Asset Images Being Used in Steam Store
In a blog posted in the Steam website, Valve redraws the lines on the graphical asset images that developers can and cannot use to get the attention of users in Steam Store.
"It's our goal to make it as clear and straightforward as possible for customers to find games to buy and play on Steam," the post read.
According to Valve, they noticed that recently that there are more text, award logos, and even review scores being included by game developers in their graphical asset images.
Because the Steam Store has become more crowded, to lure potential customers, it becomes critical to put a stand-out display image.
For some developers, they resorted to including in the image the review scores or awards to better show its supposed quality, as per Kotaku.
However, eventually, graphical asset images have become glutted with information that it became difficult to even identify the game that you're looking at.
Valve said that some game logos have become so small that it's difficult for players to identify the name of the game.
Some review scores in the graphical asset images are no longer accurate. Valve also noted that additional text on assets is presented in English language only, which alienate Steam audiences from non-English speaking backgrounds.
This new rules of Valve could be considered a dire change for some developers since many rely on reviews or awards on their images to be noticed from the sea of games available on Steam.
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Text Still Allowed in Steam But Only Localized Ones
According to Valve, there is a dedicated spot on Steam Store pages where developers can place the review quotes, scores, and awards. However, this is not visible to users who are just browsing through Steam in search for a game.
Text on graphical asset images is not completely banned, Valve said. Developers may still include a game's title or subtitle.
In one of the examples posted in the blog, Valve encourages developers to use text to promote a new update or content. However, the text must be localized into the languages that the game carry.
This is not the first time that Valve has laid down major changes in Steam's rules for developers.
According to The Verge, back in 2018, due to some controversy regarding the games that should and shouldn't be allowed on Steam, Valve stated that it would allow "everything" on the Steam store except for "things that we decide are illegal or straight up trolling."
In the past, Valve has also put a ban on blockchain games and NFTs.
Related Article: Steam Is Removing Over 90% Discounts on Games Soon! [Effectivity, Discount Rule Changes, and More]
