Nighthawks Devs Fight Valve's Erroneous Adult Label

Nighthawks is a vampire role-playing game (RPG) developed by Richard Cobbett and Wadjet Eye Games, distributed through Valve's Steam platform for PC and Mac. The game has been erroneously assigned a mature content label by Valve just as its release approaches, preventing it from appearing in Steam searches and restricting its availability in some countries. The developers are actively disputing the classification, asserting that Valve has misjudged the game's content, and are working to restore the game's full visibility and availability on Steam.

Key Facts

Nighthawks, a vampire RPG from Richard Cobbett and Wadjet Eye Games, received an erroneous adult content label from Valve on Steam immediately prior to its release.

Why Did Nighthawks Receive an Adult Content Label on Steam?

Nighthawks received a mature content label from Valve on Steam just as its release approaches, marking the latest high-profile instance of Valve's determination of what constitutes an adult game proving controversial. Valve assigned the classification based on its assessment of the game's content, a decision the developers have publicly described as erroneous. The label prevents Nighthawks from appearing in Steam searches.

The developers contest the decision, with the coverage indicating Valve is "under the impression that this game is way sexier" than the game's actual content warrants. The dispute has drawn attention as a notable example of Steam's adult content policy enforcement.

Developers Richard Cobbett and Wadjet Eye Games say they're working on convincing Valve to reverse the decision, which would allow the game to once again show up in Steam searches and no longer be banished to horny jail in some countries.

Rock Paper Shotgun coverage of Nighthawks Steam adult label

Valve assigned the adult content label to Nighthawks just as its release approaches, a decision the developers have publicly disputed as erroneous.

How Are the Developers Responding to Valve's Decision?

Developers Richard Cobbett and Wadjet Eye Games say they are working on convincing Valve to reverse the decision. A reversal would allow Nighthawks to once again show up in Steam searches and restore the game's availability in countries where it is currently restricted due to the adult label.

The appeal process centers on the developers' position that the game does not warrant the mature content classification. The outcome of the appeal will determine whether Nighthawks regains full visibility on Steam's search and discovery systems.

Developers Richard Cobbett and Wadjet Eye Games are actively pursuing a reversal of Valve's adult content label to restore Nighthawks' visibility and availability on Steam.

Who Is This For?

This dispute is most relevant to small and independent game developers who publish on Steam and may face content classification decisions, as well as players interested in vampire RPGs and the broader policy debates surrounding digital game storefront content moderation. Rock Paper Shotgun's coverage reflects ongoing scrutiny of Valve's adult content determination process and its impact on game discoverability.

Notably, Nighthawks writer Richard Cobbett has contributed articles to Rock Paper Shotgun, with his most recent as of writing being a Fable-themed feature from 2018. This connection exists alongside his role as a developer on the game itself.

The Nighthawks adult label dispute represents a notable case study in how Valve's content classification decisions directly impact independent game visibility on Steam.

Common Questions

Who developed Nighthawks?

Nighthawks was developed by Richard Cobbett and Wadjet Eye Games. The vampire RPG is distributed through Valve's Steam platform for PC and Mac, and the developers are currently disputing an adult content label applied to the game.

Why is Nighthawks labeled as adult content on Steam?

Valve assigned Nighthawks a mature content label just as its release approaches, a decision the developers describe as erroneous. The label prevents the game from appearing in Steam searches and restricts its availability in some countries, prompting the developers to appeal.

What happens if Valve does not reverse the adult label on Nighthawks?

If the label is not reversed, Nighthawks will continue to be excluded from Steam searches and may remain restricted in some countries. The developers are working to convince Valve to reverse the decision to restore the game's full visibility and availability.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on a single primary source: Rock Paper Shotgun's coverage of the Nighthawks adult content label, published at https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/valve-is-under-the-impression-that-this-game-is-way-sexier-nighthawks-devs-claim-vampire-rpg-has-erroneously-been-slapped-with-steam-adult-content-label.

All facts, quotes, and attributions in this article are derived directly from that source. No additional data has been extrapolated or fabricated. Specific statistics such as sales figures, player counts, or release dates beyond the described "release beckons" timeframe were not available in the source material and are therefore omitted.

This article was last updated on June 26, 2025.