Steam Admits to Faulty Game Ratings, Here is the Full Explanation

Steam has spoken out regarding problematic game ratings on its platform. The inaccurate ratings were due to a bug and miscommunication. “A technical bug and miscommunication caused inaccurate and incomplete ratings to be temporarily displayed on Steam between 2-5 April,” Steam stated in an official release, quoted on Wednesday (8/4/2026). Steam said it has removed the problematic ratings. Ratings based on the Indonesian Game Rating System (IGRS) for users in Indonesia will only be displayed after several additional steps by the platform. “There are still several steps that must be taken before we are fully ready to generate and display IGRS-approved age ratings to customers in Indonesia,” Steam explained. “We apologise for any confusion caused by this error.” Discussions between Valve, which operates Steam, and the government and IGRS institution have been ongoing for the past two years. This is to build an age rating display system for Steam customers in the country. The system is built using information provided by developers about the games, which ultimately results in ratings based on IGRS. The displayed ratings provide information to customers about the content and the minimum age group targeted for each game. For information, Steam is a game distribution platform developed by Valve Corporation. Its system is similar to the Play Store and App Store for mobile applications. On its Help page, Steam explains that several activities can be performed. For example, players can purchase and download games via the internet. Additionally, registering retail versions of Valve games and some third-party games. Accessing games via PCs connected to the Steam network. Other capabilities include viewing games being played and joining other players. Additionally, communicating with the community while playing games. Steam also ensures games are automatically updated. Some games available on the platform include Counter-Strike 2, Starfield, and Crimson Desert. Previously, the Ministry of Communication and Digital also mentioned irregularities in the ratings attached to Steam. For example, PUBG, which should be played by adults, was given a 3+ rating. “This is very strange to us and highly irregular,” said Director of Digital Ecosystem Development at the Directorate General of Digital Ecosystem, Sonny Hendra Sudaryana, during a press conference at the Komdigi office on Tuesday (7/4/2026). He explained that Komdigi would conduct internal and external investigations to find the root of the problem. The Ministry and Steam have also met as a follow-up to the rating polemic. “We agreed to conduct investigations internally at Komdigi and externally at Steam,” he said.