Valve has removed the Adult Only rating mistakenly applied to Nighthawks, allowing the vampiric RPG to launch on Steam as planned. The label would have kept the game out of Steam searches and removed it from view in certain countries. Its removal came ahead of the game’s September 22 launch.

Why the Rating Mattered

Nighthawks is a text-based vampire RPG from Wadjet Eye Games. In a statement posted to Steam, the developers said the game is not pornographic, despite the implications of an Adult Only classification. They said its sexual scenes are conveyed in text and that its limited nudity uses strategically placed props and hands rather than explicit imagery.

The developers also said players expecting extensive sex and nudity would be disappointed. The classification arrived amid Valve’s updated adult-content guidelines, which Eurogamer described as vague. For a game nearing release, the label carried a practical consequence: it would have sharply limited how easily prospective players could find it on Steam.

The Developers Appealed the Decision

The classification was applied only days before launch, prompting an appeal from the team. The developers said Valve helped expedite the review so the Adult Only rating could be removed. They also said they did not know what had triggered the classification.

According to the developers, the episode brought additional attention to the game, including press coverage, and its wishlists essentially doubled overnight. They acknowledged that their existing fanbase and relative clout helped them bring attention to the issue quickly, while noting that other developers in a similar position might not have that advantage.

What Changed Before the Appeal After the Appeal Classified as Adult Only Adult Only rating removed Excluded from Steam searches Classification no longer carries that restriction Removed from view in certain countries Appeal resolved before launch Launch Details

Nighthawks remains set to launch on Steam on September 22. The reversal removes a late obstacle for the game after a classification that the developers said made it nearly invisible on the storefront.

An official trailer is available on YouTube, offering a look at the game’s hand-drawn vampire underworld. Rock Paper Shotgun’s report also covered the rating mix-up.

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