Just weeks before its scheduled launch, vampire role-playing game Nighthawks has found itself caught in the crosshairs of yet another high-profile dispute between developers and Valve over the platform’s notoriously subjective adult content labeling system. The game, developed by Richard Cobbett and published by Wadjet Eye Games, was slapped with a mature/adult classification that excludes it from Steam searches entirely and delists it altogether in certain countries — a move its creators say is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the game’s actual content.
The controversy emerged as the title neared its September 22nd release date, prompting Wadjet Eye Games to publicly take up arms against what it describes as an erroneous classification. In a Bluesky post, publisher Dave Gilbert confirmed that Valve has “classified Nighthawks as an adult game and excluded it from searches,” while also delisting the title in select regions. The developers are now actively working to persuade Steam’s moderation team to reverse its decision — a request they believe hinges on Valve’s mistaken impression of how sexually explicit the game truly is.
“Valve Is Basically Treating Nighthawks Like a Porn Game”
The most pointed commentary came from Gilbert, who characterized the situation with blunt candor. “We are working on it,” he wrote. “Valve is under the impression that this game is way sexier than it actually is.” He later amplified his frustration in the same thread, adding that “Valve is basically treating Nighthawks like a porn game!”
Speaking separately to PC Gamer, developer Richard Cobbett offered additional detail on both the trigger and the nature of the disputed content. The pair admitted they are “not sure exactly what triggered the issue,” but confirmed they have reached out to Valve directly, expressing hope that it will “quickly remove the scarlet letter.” On the matter of adult material itself, Cobbett described a fairly modest scope: “we’re talking a few butt shots and some other censored naughty bits, mostly as part of companion romances and similar content, where you don’t get to see anything explicit.” He noted that dates in the game “ultimately don’t go much further than a tasteful fade to black” once the more mature nighttime activities begin.
It is worth noting that Cobbett has also contributed articles to Rock Paper Shotgun, with his most recent piece being a Fable-themed feature from 2018 — context relevant for readers evaluating his perspective as a source on this matter.
A Pattern of Platform Disputes
Nighthawks is not the first title to fall victim to Valve’s content moderation decisions. Last month, satirical game Future? No Thanks! experienced a similar fate under an adult classification, and — notably — appears to have had that label removed once Steam reviewed its case again. That precedent gives Wadjet Eye Games reason for optimism, though no guarantees exist.
The underlying mechanics of the dispute remain murky. Valve has not yet responded to requests for comment, leaving the specifics of how the classification was applied and what criteria might overturn it firmly in the realm of speculation. The broader issue reflects an ongoing tension between Steam’s automated and human-driven labeling processes and developers’ expectations that content ratings should reflect actual on-screen material rather than perceived intent.
The community has watched closely, with many players expressing sympathy for the developers and skepticism toward Valve’s assessment. For a game built around gothic romance and atmospheric storytelling rather than explicit content, being banished from search results — and effectively hidden in certain markets — represents more than an administrative inconvenience; it undermines discoverability at precisely the moment when player interest should be peaking ahead of launch.
Looking Ahead
The immediate focus for Wadjet Eye Games and Richard Cobbett is a swift resolution from Valve. If history is any guide, the outcome may well mirror that of Future? No Thanks!, which saw its label lifted following a fresh review. Should Valve stand firm, Nighthawks will still proceed with its September 22nd release, though without the visibility that Steam’s search algorithm would otherwise provide.
The case is set to become another notable entry in the growing body of developer-vs-Valve disputes over content labeling — a recurring theme that continues to shape how indie and narrative-driven titles navigate one of the platform’s most debated systems. Fans will be watching closely to see whether the “scarlet letter” can be lifted before launch day.
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