PC gaming’s top marketplace, Steam, has censored a game featuring artwork from a prominent queer artist over Russian propaganda laws, but the game’s developer isn’t taking it lying down.

Gaming company Valve, which owns and operates Steam, blocked the card game Flick Solitaire from its Russian servers after violating the country’s “LGBTQ+ propaganda” laws.

The game, which is still available in Russia on phone storefronts, builds on the classic Solitaire card game with new modes and a plethora of custom cards from 63 artists.

One of those artists, Queer Chameleon, is a prominent comic artist and human rights activist whose drawings feature chameleons draped in LGBTQ+ Pride flags.

The game also features LGBTQ+ themed decks from artists including Ego Rodriguez, Karin Hammarsten, and more.

Russia’s federal censorship body, Roskomnadzor, reportedly demanded that Valve remove the game from Steam’s storefront in Russia for “promoting non-traditional sexualities.”

In a letter to the the game’s developers, Valve chastised Flick Games for failing to “do your due diligence regarding where your game is allowed to be distributed and to inform us of any territory where it cannot be.”

Russia has banned LGBTQ+ representation in media since at least 2013 with its widely reviled ‘gay propaganda law’. The legislation was expanded in 2022 to cover content for all ages rather than just minors.

Those found guilty of breaking the law face fines of up to 400,000 rubles (£3,859.90) and could face time in prison.

“We don’t pick and choose between human beings”

Flick Games said its Pride decks were targeted by the country’s censorship laws in October and their game was removed from Steam “without prior notice or a chance for us to discuss it.”

“We’re heartbroken for our Russian community (LGBTQ+ or otherwise), for our artists, and for players who lose access to the authentic diversity reflected in our game,” developers said in a defiant statement.

“We don’t pick and choose between human beings – the place they were born, who they love, or how they identify. We support artists and players everywhere. Flick will keep being a platform for gorgeous, diverse art and people.”

Flick Solitaire is currently available in Russia on the iOS App Store and Google Play. It is available for PC and Mac on Steam worldwide, except for Russia.

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