Recent investigations conducted by the Freedom of Expression Association’s EngelWeb project have revealed a significant development on the popular game platform Steam. Research into Steam access restrictions in Türkiye has revealed that the store pages of a total of 45 different games have been blocked. It is stated that the majority of these blocking decisions were made in 2026, while the remainder came into effect on various dates since 2023. This situation prevents certain content on the platform from being viewed within Turkey.

Games and Details of Access Restrictions

According to information shared by EngelWeb, the games subject to access restrictions include globally recognized titles such as Rockstar Games’ Bully: Scholarship Edition and Manhunt. In addition, three different games from the POSTAL series, as well as the well-known horror game Poppy Playtime, are on the list of blocked content.

For the remaining 5 games, there is no random adult content classification on the Steam platform. This suggests that the blocking decisions are made independently of the platform’s own filtering system or according to different legal criteria.

Content Classifications and Filtering System

Looking at the categories of the 45 blocked games, it is seen that 40 games are classified as general adult content. 20 games are categorized as containing infrequent nudity or sexual content, and 15 games are categorized as containing adult-only sexual content.

At the same time, 15 games are categorized as containing frequent nudity or sexual content, and 15 games are categorized as containing frequent violence or gore. Since games can be categorized in multiple categories, the total of these percentages exceeds 100%.

On accounts where Steam’s adult content filtering feature is enabled, users are shown a special content warning before entering the store pages of games in these categories. However, the store pages of these blocked games are not completely invisible from Turkey by Steam.

These restrictions on the platform make it difficult for users to directly access the games in question, while the content technically continues to exist on the platform. This development creates a new area of ​​discussion regarding content control and access restriction practices on digital game platforms.

Especially for game developers and distributors, these kinds of restrictions are becoming a factor that directly affects their visibility in local markets. This detailed study conducted by the EngelWeb project reveals the reflections of digital content access policies in Turkey on the gaming sector.

The platforms’ adaptation processes to these decisions and users’ access rights may come to the forefront more in the coming period. How do you think these kinds of access restriction decisions on digital game platforms affect the gaming world?

According to the Freedom of Speech Association’s report, 45 game pages on Steam have been blocked from access from Turkey. Here are the details of the Steam access restriction.