Vietnam has recently imposed a ban on Steam, a popular gaming platform. This sudden restriction has left gamers and developers in the country in dismay. The ban was enacted without clear reasons from the government or Valve, the company behind Steam.
Gamers in Vietnam reported that all local internet providers have blocked access to Steam’s app and website. Discussions on Steam forums suggest the directive came from higher authorities. This has significantly impacted players who rely on Steam for gaming and updates.
The issue might stem from local regulatory practices. Unlike international companies like Valve, Vietnamese developers are required to get government approval for their games, which has not been the case for Steam. This disparity has caused frustration among domestic game publishers. They argue that without stricter regulations on foreign platforms like Steam, the local gaming industry could suffer greatly.
Authorities are reportedly considering various approaches to address the situation, although there is no direct communication channel with Valve in Vietnam. The gaming community is eagerly awaiting further developments and hopes for a resolution that supports both international platforms and domestic developers.
Valve has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the ban. The situation remains fluid, and updates are anticipated as more information becomes available.