"Everyone is at one another's throats all the time in reviews, discussions, forums, anywhere you can possibly find it on Steam, says content creator and Steam curator Bri BlondePizza Moore. It ensures no one is safe on the platform; developers and consumers alike. Aside from the content of Steam's forums, sources pointed to two main causes for concern: bigoted reviews posted on games' Steam pages, which can hugely affect sales"
"I'm not new to online harassment, says designer Nathalie Lawhead, who spent two years trying to get reviews removed from their games' pages. Both reference allegations of sexual assault that Lawhead made in 2019. I assumed reporting Steam abuse might have its own issues. But when people suggested that I open a ticket, I did have hope that this would be the way to get it resolved."
Steam's moderation has allowed abuse and bigotry to proliferate across reviews, forums, and curator activity. Developers and creators, particularly transgender individuals, face targeted harassment that affects mental health and sales. Bigoted reviews can significantly impact game visibility and revenue. Steam curators sometimes orchestrate campaigns against games perceived as politically progressive or inclusive. Reporting mechanisms often fail, with moderators clearing abusive content. High-profile cases include Nathalie Lawhead's struggle to remove defamatory reviews and Bri BlondePizza Moore's observation of constant antagonism on the platform. Valve's refusal to effectively moderate has turned Steam into a battleground for culture war disputes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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