Valve has taken action against the card game Flick Solitaire in the Russian version of Steam after being contacted by the federal censorship body Roskomnadzor for “promoting non-traditional sexualities.”
In a letter, Valve also criticized the developers Flick Games for not doing their due diligence on where the game could be distributed and failing to inform them of any restricted territories. Despite being blocked on Steam in Russia, Flick Solitaire remains available on the iOS and Android platforms in the country. Valve is currently the only platform that has complied with the Russian state’s request for censorship.
The latest edition of Video Games Industry Memo, authored by George E. Osborn, provides further insight into the situation. Flick Solitaire, released in June 2020 on iOS and Android, offers a collection of Solitaire variations with unique flick controls and stunning decks from independent artists. Some of the decks feature queer themes, such as Amee Wilsons’ Queer Chameleon Deck and Ollie T’s Drag Deck. While the option to unlock decks through grinding or purchasing with real money may not appeal to everyone, the game’s designs are undeniably beautiful.
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Despite being one of the game’s largest markets, Russia has had access to Flick Solitaire since its mobile launch. However, in response to the Ukrainian invasion by the Vladimir Putin government in February 2022, Flick Games demonetized the game for Russian players to avoid supporting the aggressor.
In October 2025, Flick Solitaire was launched in Steam early access with the developers also restricting monetization for Russian players. However, due to platform features like store credit, there may still be ways for players to bypass the block. Steam currently prohibits direct purchases by Russian players in compliance with western sanctions, leading players to use alternative methods like third-party key resellers.
On October 28th, Flick Games received official notices from Roskomnadzor stating that they had violated a 2006 law against promoting “non-traditional sexualities.” While Google did not respond to the request, Apple assured Flick Games that the situation would not affect their standing with the platform. Valve, on the other hand, added a country restriction for Flick Solitaire without allowing the developers to challenge the decision.
Hello Partner,
Your game, FLICK SOLITAIRE (3690460), was found to be in violation of Russian distribution requirements by Roskomnadzor. We have restricted the game from appearing in Russia.
As per the Steam Distribution Agreement, you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws. It is your duty to determine where your game can be distributed and inform us of any restricted territories.
Valve has a history of restricting access to games on Steam to comply with strict government regulations. In China, Valve operates a separate version of Steam with games approved by regulators, though many Chinese players still use the international version to access unapproved titles. Instances of Valve adhering to Chinese censorship include the removal of the Taiwanese horror game Devotion due to a derogatory reference to the country’s president Xi Jinping. In Russia, Roskomnadzor claimed in October 2024 to have had over 260 pieces of illegal content removed from Steam without providing specific details.
Valve has also been under scrutiny for removing games with sexual themes at the request of international payment networks. Similar to the case of Flick Solitaire, Valve has refrained from taking a stance on the content, citing compliance with regulations or financial institutions. The company is currently facing backlash over their refusal to publish the horror game Horses by Italian developers Santa Ragione, allegedly due to a controversial scene involving a young woman and a naked slave.
Queer individuals in Russia are subject to significant oppression, with laws passed by Putin restricting public expression of LGBTQ+ individuals and reinforcing harmful stereotypes. Transgender people are denied the right to change their legal gender or receive gender-affirming care, while same-sex marriages or civil unions are prohibited.
While Valve has shown support for queer developers and players on Steam through initiatives like the LGBTQ+ store tag and themed sales, their actions in complying with repressive governments raise questions about their commitment to inclusivity. Requests for comment from Valve regarding Flick Games’ situation are pending.
