Kimochi, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

[AltairPL]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

30% is still better than DLSite's 40-85% (if I did my math right).
But there's also one good thing about "western" platform such as this - no censorship. It may even draw some of the Japanese devs - I'm sure there are a lot of them who are sick and tired of censorship laws. On the other hand there's also different set of laws, which means loli, shota, rape, guro, etc. can cause trouble - depends where servers will be located and how much attention it will draw...
And nobody will force devs to use Steamy or DLSite - use former for uncensored version for English speaking community and latter for censored version for Japanese market.

Well, I wish him best of luck!

 

[redx]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

that name is awfully close. you sure they won't have copyright or any other type of issues?

 

[blobzerz]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

that name is awfully close. you sure they won't have copyright or any other type of issues?

Yes it will. As soon as it will go live Valve lawyers will massacre them.

I think they used this name so people kind of think of it as steam for pronz and know what to expect but they will release it at totally diffrent name. If not they are suicidial.

 

[dienow]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

Without a list of what is available for hosting on the service, such as fetishes and content, I can't really say whether I support this or not. The sad part is that, unless you host your server in a country with free laws and no censorship, it's liable to suffer the fate of restricted content allowances, just like other services do.

 

[sgtbilco]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

Very ambitious. Maybe a little too much, but best of luck. That name MUST change though. Its just too close.

 

[mayaktheunholy]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

They already have a discussion on their forum about the trademark issue. The devs are well aware of the problem (they responded in that thread).

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As for what content is allowed, didn't see that discussed anywhere. Maybe I'll start a thread about it over there.

Edit: I started a thread about it. The dev chimed in right away and said they will be "as permissive as the law allows".

 

[dienow]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

The dev chimed in right away and said they will be "as permissive as the law allows".

Which laws, which countries, and are they willing to actually defend their rights, or are they going to fold like a cheap lawn chair to the first bully to tell them "YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT, BECAUSE I SAID SO!" European laws regarding porn are notoriously more regressive than American laws. Asian and other countries, even worse.

Because talk is cheap. Unless they're willing to state in a contract that they WILL stand up for content if you subscribe, then I am no go. Unless they state that all 2D content will be allowed under artistic freedom, I have little doubt they will begin the gatekeeping, and picking and choosing.

If only because history proves, time and time again, that unless there is money to be made in being AGAINST the grain, a company will always put profit first and go with the grain as closely as it can. Selling out is always in the plan.

 

[HentaiWriter]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

Which laws, which countries, and are they willing to actually defend their rights, or are they going to fold like a cheap lawn chair to the first bully to tell them "YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT, BECAUSE I SAID SO!" European laws regarding porn are notoriously more regressive than American laws. Asian and other countries, even worse.

Because talk is cheap. Unless they're willing to state in a contract that they WILL stand up for content if you subscribe, then I am no go. Unless they state that all 2D content will be allowed under artistic freedom, I have little doubt they will begin the gatekeeping, and picking and choosing.

If only because history proves, time and time again, that unless there is money to be made in being AGAINST the grain, a company will always put profit first and go with the grain as closely as it can. Selling out is always in the plan.

I don't think it's so much "selling out" as it is "not wanting to go to prison for decades".

UK and Japan law might be very strict, but America ENFORCES law like no one else in the list of 1st world countries.

The police situation here is absolutely insane, and quite a few people I know (myself included) feel like talking to the cops or doing anything that would get you on their radar is a possible death sentence at this point.

Source: the legions of little kids, innocents, grandparents, etc. who have been mercilessly blown away by full blown SWAT teams kicking down doors for something as big as

You must be registered to see the links

all the way to

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yet STILL getting shot point blank, despite committing no crime whatsoever.

You don't want to fuck with law enforcement in America;

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, and if you wanna fight back against the overzealous behavior, I hope you can

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!

Sorry for the rant on that, but I just wanted to paint a better picture why so many people in America (and Steamy is based there AFAIK) just don't even want to remotely fuck with the law here.

Put up a picture of bestiality, the police will probably think you're the next Michael Vick or worse, possibly kick down your door with guns blazing and that'll be it for ya. (Only mildly exaggerated.)

 

[omp1234]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

Oh boy time to read the EULA.

Anyways, in regards to the name: change it. Steamy, an online digital hentai game distribution service, is one letter away from Steam, an online digital game distribution service. This was done intentionally. "We all know Steam, so Steamy will be recognizable." It's trademark infringement to the core. Pick a different name.

The short of it is this: There are things like "product confusion" where you lose points for your case the harder a trademarked name is to distinguish from another product. Given that Steamy is only one additional letter to a similar product, the legal standing of "confusion" is rock solid. And because it's PORNOGRAPHIC content that could be confusing the customer, Steam will have motive to take action. Just change the name.

"Steamy" isn't that clever. You won't lose much sleep not having the platform called "Steamy". Call it HotCoffee or something. Just change it. You're not going to win.

 

[omp1234]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

30% is still better than DLSite's 40-85% (if I did my math right).
But there's also one good thing about "western" platform such as this - no censorship. It may even draw some of the Japanese devs - I'm sure there are a lot of them who are sick and tired of censorship laws. On the other hand there's also different set of laws, which means loli, shota, rape, guro, etc. can cause trouble - depends where servers will be located and how much attention it will draw...
And nobody will force devs to use Steamy or DLSite - use former for uncensored version for English speaking community and latter for censored version for Japanese market.

Well, I wish him best of luck!

DLsite is the largest H-content distributor in the Eastern Hemisphere. They give you a tiny-ass fraction of the sales for the same reason it costs so much to air your commercial during the superbowl; the expected target audience is colossal. Steamy, so far, is less like Steam, more like Origin, EA's digital distribution platform.

In my humblest opinion, Origin is what Steamy should strive to be. It should not complicate itself with being THE BIGGEST PORN STEAM RIPOFF IN EXISTENCE, but rather have a set vision for what types of games they will host and distribute and stick to it. They should make it as bland, neutral, vanilla, loli-beatiality-free as they can get, and just stick to what they know all western and european laws will allow, and through that they can become massive. Steamy should draw its lines and stay within them, artistic freedom be damned. Let someone else try making a service that caters to that type of illegal content.

Oh! I forgot to ask about DRM. What kind of DRM will you employ?

 

[AltairPL]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

DLsite is the largest H-content distributor in the Eastern Hemisphere. They give you a tiny-ass fraction of the sales for the same reason it costs so much to air your commercial during the superbowl; the expected target audience is colossal.

I am aware that for H-games developers Japan is the best market, and for devs outside of Japan a middle-man is needed, who will make sure that published work won't bring any unwanted attention (laws, etc.), provide basic translations, etc. and that middle-man also must get his cut. But I still think that 85% is way, way to much. If they're afraid that someone will publish bloated work with small price, why not use pricing model like "we take standard 40% for works up to xMB and extra y% for every zMB of download size up to 85%" - IMHO it would be more fair than "you'll get 60% if customer price is very high, and measly 15% if price is low". TBH, I think that DLsite doesn't give a crap about devs or clients - it's just a good way to make money.

Steamy, so far, is less like Steam, more like Origin, EA's digital distribution platform.

In my humblest opinion, Origin is what Steamy should strive to be. It should not complicate itself with being THE BIGGEST PORN STEAM RIPOFF IN EXISTENCE, but rather have a set vision for what types of games they will host and distribute and stick to it. They should make it as bland, neutral, vanilla, loli-beatiality-free as they can get, and just stick to what they know all western and european laws will allow, and through that they can become massive. Steamy should draw its lines and stay within them, artistic freedom be damned. Let someone else try making a service that caters to that type of illegal content.

Well, I think their aim is to be "THE BIGGEST PORN STEAM RIPOFF IN EXISTENCE", but that doesn't mean there will be absolutely no rules regarding content - I'm sure that most extreme fetishes and/or loli (depends on whether or not you consider loli "extreme" ) will be forbidden.

Oh! I forgot to ask about DRM. What kind of DRM will you employ?

I can only hope, that if any, it won't be mandatory.

 

[mayaktheunholy]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

In my humblest opinion, Origin is what Steamy should strive to be. It should not complicate itself with being THE BIGGEST PORN STEAM RIPOFF IN EXISTENCE, but rather have a set vision for what types of games they will host and distribute and stick to it. They should make it as bland, neutral, vanilla, loli-beatiality-free as they can get, and just stick to what they know all western and european laws will allow, and through that they can become massive. Steamy should draw its lines and stay within them, artistic freedom be damned. Let someone else try making a service that caters to that type of illegal content.

If they go that route, I want NO part of it. Not as a dev, and certainly not as a consumer (I got bored with "vanilla" about 20 years ago). And I am far from alone.

And bestiality hentai is NOT illegal in the US. The actual act in RL is still legal in some states, and owning real life bestiality porn is legal in all states. If the real life kind is legal, I'd say hentai is safe lol.

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And here's one from a lawyer that has experience in that type of thing:

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And Patreon has specifically said animated bestiality is permitted on their service. They pull in millions. Do you think they would risk their business if they weren't sure about the legality?

You must be registered to see the links

 

[hrpgheaven]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

Can't be worst than DLSite's commissions (50~75%? GTFO), gonna watch this carefully, I honestly hope it becomes an amazing thing.

 

[erobotan]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

If they go that route, I want NO part of it. Not as a dev, and certainly not as a consumer (I got bored with "vanilla" about 20 years ago). And I am far from alone.

hehe, I'm sure that the store will be pretty barren if they go that route considering the majority of devs make rapey monster stuff XD

 

[Indivi]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

hehe, I'm sure that the store will be pretty barren if they go that route considering the majority of devs make rapey monster stuff XD

It'll be comprised entirely of visual novel nukiges

 

[chrono4111]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

*Website tells their users to message one person for alpha codes.
*I do so*
*Is told to message someone else for a code*
*Does so*

I'm sensing a dreadful pattern here...

 

[Ozimandias]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

Hi,

As this project is about providing a commercial games distribution platform, it seems obvious that it will have to be run as a business.

Contrary to what some posters to this thread seem to believe; the primary objective of a business is NOT profit, it is survival.

As the business will have to be run "on the radar" and in plain view (to adults), it has no choice or alternative other than to obey the laws that apply to it.

If it fails in this it will be shut down and will not survive.

I would suggest that at this early stage in the project, it would be a good percentage player bet to assume that the laws will be those of the United States of America.

I do not think that European laws are relevant, as they differ between members of the EU, other than underage = less than 18 (the same as the USA). All EU members recognise the sovereignty of the USA, so if something is hosted and operated legally from the USA, they will ignore it; until it falls within their jurisdiction.

The question of the unsuitability of the current name has already been raised several times, but nobody seems to have considered the domain?

British Indian Ocean Territory is basically the US/UK military base at Diego Garcia, and nothing else. There is no agriculture, industry, business or commerce, other than an internet domain.

The domain registrars are based in London and come under UK laws. They also have their own rules as to how their domain names can be used.

I came across this: .io domains may not be used "for any purpose that is sexual or pornographic or that is against the statutory laws of any nation"

Perhaps someone who has access to the Steamy site might raise the matter there?

Cheers,

OZ

 

[erobotan]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

Hi,

As this project is about providing a commercial games distribution platform, it seems obvious that it will have to be run as a business.

Contrary to what some posters to this thread seem to believe; the primary objective of a business is NOT profit, it is survival.

As the business will have to be run "on the radar" and in plain view (to adults), it has no choice or alternative other than to obey the laws that apply to it.

If it fails in this it will be shut down and will not survive.

I would suggest that at this early stage in the project, it would be a good percentage player bet to assume that the laws will be those of the United States of America.

I do not think that European laws are relevant, as they differ between members of the EU, other than underage = less than 18 (the same as the USA). All EU members recognise the sovereignty of the USA, so if something is hosted and operated legally from the USA, they will ignore it; until it falls within their jurisdiction.

The question of the unsuitability of the current name has already been raised several times, but nobody seems to have considered the domain?

British Indian Ocean Territory is basically the US/UK military base at Diego Garcia, and nothing else. There is no agriculture, industry, business or commerce, other than an internet domain.

The domain registrars are based in London and come under UK laws. They also have their own rules as to how their domain names can be used.

I came across this: .io domains may not be used "for any purpose that is sexual or pornographic or that is against the statutory laws of any nation"

Perhaps someone who has access to the Steamy site might raise the matter there?

Cheers,

OZ

Thanks for the info regarding .io stuff, I've sent your message the developer & he's aware of the issues now. Good job! May I know the link where you get the info? it might be usefull for the dev!

Edit: i did some search and it seems to be from the wikipedia article about .io domain

 

[Ozimandias]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

@ erobotan,

Sorry mate, I didn't make a note of the source, but I think it was some UK e-zine, when I looked up B.I.O.T. and internet.

As he has a domain open with them I would have thought that the developer should be able to check it out in the terms and conditions? I know... small print legalese that pisses-off most people

I have been involved with the team on several small local startups, so I suppose that I have gotten used to it. The last thing that you want is to be seen to be forced to change your trading name, logo, or anything else for that matter, as it makes you look amateur and that is not good for partner confidence?

I like the idea of this project very much, and only wanted to help if I could. It is a shame that my first contribution has turned out rather negative.

If this is going to work, it is obviously going to be pretty big, and way beyond the abilities of one person. My recommendation is that the developer finds someone to keep an eye on the legal, administrative, financial, regulatory compliance and all those sorts of things. That would leave him free to handle the mainstream aspects of the project?

Cheers,

OZ

 

[erobotan]

Re: Steamy, a new game distribution platform for Hentai Games!

@ erobotan,

Sorry mate, I didn't make a note of the source, but I think it was some UK e-zine, when I looked up B.I.O.T. and internet.

As he has a domain open with them I would have thought that the developer should be able to check it out in the terms and conditions? I know... small print legalese that pisses-off most people

I have been involved with the team on several small local startups, so I suppose that I have gotten used to it. The last thing that you want is to be seen to be forced to change your trading name, logo, or anything else for that matter, as it makes you look amateur and that is not good for partner confidence?

I like the idea of this project very much, and only wanted to help if I could. It is a shame that my first contribution has turned out rather negative.

If this is going to work, it is obviously going to be pretty big, and way beyond the abilities of one person. My recommendation is that the developer finds someone to keep an eye on the legal, administrative, financial, regulatory compliance and all those sorts of things. That would leave him free to handle the mainstream aspects of the project?

Cheers,

OZ

Yeah, you're right the dev should be able to check the ToS by himself. It will be more accurate than any other link on the net XD

And don't worry, your contribution is great, it prevents potential trouble in the future

If you have time you should join the forum too, I'm sure it will be a great help for the dev!