Valve is changing the rules for sellers on Steam. Screenshots must now represent the game.
Who doesn’t know this? You look at a promising title in the Steam shop, click through the screenshots, and are positively surprised. But once you check out a “Let’s Play,” you rub your eyes in wonder. The screenshots do not correspond to what players can expect, as they have been modified or are just high-quality artworks. This is exactly what Steam is concerned about, as they have recently changed their rules regarding screenshots in the shop.
A screenshot may now only represent the game and must come from “in-game material.” In other words: No photos from trailers, no artworks, no edited sequences.
On Facepunch, Valve commented as follows:
“In the past, we have not been very precise about our rules regarding the submission of screenshots, so we want to take this opportunity to clarify some rules in this area. (…) If the ‘screenshot’ area of a page in the store is used for images other than screenshots from the game, it makes it difficult for customers to understand what kind of product they are currently looking at. (…)
In addition, we will begin displaying screenshots in more places, which is why it is important for us that these images represent the game. Please show customers how your game actually plays.”
Cortyn says: From my perspective, this is a good decision to avoid disappointment for potential buyers. Currently, when viewing some trailers and screenshots on Steam, one often gets the impression that the games are produced at a high level with great graphics. Upon purchase, one then realizes that the game is basically just a 320×640 RPG Maker copy (nothing against RPG Maker games – I love them). Therefore, Valve can once again take pride in having done something for the customers – a win-win situation for Steam and the customers.
