Steam has up to date its developer tips to make clear that mobile-style in-game advertisements usually are not allowed on the platform. In line with the brand new guidelines, any promoting that blocks or interferes with gameplay is banned. Valve said, “Builders mustn’t use paid promoting as a enterprise mannequin of their sport, similar to requiring gamers to observe or in any other case interact with promoting to be able to play.” Because of this fashions like “watch this advert to proceed enjoying,” in addition to advertisements tied to rewards similar to power-ups or in-game foreign money, usually are not permitted.
The up to date coverage stands in distinction to many free-to-play cell video games that drive gamers to observe advertisements to progress. This is without doubt one of the key the explanation why PC gaming stays the popular alternative for a lot of, providing a smoother, interruption-free expertise. Builders can nonetheless use product placements and cross-promotions, so long as they don’t interrupt gameplay.
This story was first reported by GamingOnLinux, the place they’ve detailed how Valve up to date the Steamworks developer documentation—particularly the promoting web page that outlines what sorts of promoting or promotion are allowed on Steam.
