Adult video game Negligee: Love Stories has been dropped from sale on Steam in 28 different countries shortly after finally launching on the platform.
In a post on the title's page, developer Dharker Studios said that this is down to its project clashing with local laws which have seen it been banned in regions including Germany, Australia, South Korea and even Japan. The former is, in fact, the developer's fourth largest sales region, following the USA, UK and Canada.
Steam, too, could be fined if the game remains up for sale, too. Dharker says that it can't afford the financial risk of being fined and that it respects the law of the countries it operates in - something that can't be said for other, larger games companies. Cough, 2K. Cough, EA.
"You might think that it is ludicrous but Dharker Studios Ltd is a company, if we release a game in a country where the content is illegal or could be considered illegal then potentially we could suffer fines and penalties and even legal action by those countries," the developer wrote.
"Also as per our and every developers agreement with Steam, If they fined or targeted steam, we (Dharker Studios) would be liable for damages sustained. which would likely end our company, we are a small indie developer, we do not make millions or anything close to it and do not have the resources for such costs whilst continuing to make games."
Moving forward, Dharker is going to be launching its games in a censored fashion.
"Based on the necessity of restrictions based on adult content, none of our previous games will be patched to include adult content." the company said.
"Some will however be given a Free or Cheap mature content DLC pack in Steam (sadly this dlc will likely be restricted as all adult content must - but the base game will be unaffected) Players can then either install via Steam or if restricted gain the patch in other ways at their own discretion and at their own risk and liability.
Likewise future games will be developed to release a censored edition where possible and then have a free or cheap mature content dlc pack on steam as well.
The only other thing that may change any of these restrictions is if countries change their laws and stances on those laws or if the countries contact steam to advise the game can be officially released in that region."
