Steam sabotages Nekopara After launch and the internet explodes

The highly anticipated visual novel Nekopara After: La Vraie Famille has hit a major stumbling block in its global distribution. Although its release was originally planned for May 23, 2025, more than 40 days later the game is still not listed on Steam. This is due to a lack of response from Valve. This situation has generated frustration among fans and also among the game's development team, Sekai Project. ---

An unexpected delay without explanation

The game, part of the popular Nekopara franchise, was supposed to launch on Steam simultaneously with other platforms. However, a series of administrative silences on Valve's part have prevented its release. Sekai Project initially announced a minor delay from May 23 to 29. They indicated that they were waiting for third-party approval, specifically Steam's. However, time passed, and the store did not provide any response or validation. This left the game in digital limbo with a release date still "to be determined" (TBD). ---

49 days without response from Valve

Sekai Project submitted the final version of the game to Valve for review on May 5. Nine days later, on May 14, the company received a request from Steam for a save file. This request was fulfilled immediately that same day. Since then, the company claims to have received no further communication from Valve, leaving Nekopara without any updates. To highlight the situation, the game's official account began updating its Steam page daily with a countdown of the days without a response. On June 12, for example, the counter read "43 days without a response from Valve." This is a symbolic measure to raise awareness of the problem within the community. ---

Impact on release schedule and alternative distribution

Due to this prolonged uncertainty, Sekai Project decided to continue distributing the game on other platforms. Thus, Nekopara After: La Vraie Famille was officially released on June 13th on specialized stores such as DLsite, Fanza, and Denpasoft. These versions include the full 18+ content. Additionally, an all-ages edition is available through Sekai Project's official website. However, Nekopara fans are still waiting for news from Steam. However, for users who prefer the Steam platform for its convenience, the wait continues without any news. This delay has broken the consistency with previous releases in the franchise. All of them, from Volume 0 to Volume 4, including Nekopara Extra, have been available on Steam. Even if that meant applying content tweaks or adding optional patches to unlock adult scenes. ---

H content as a possible cause of the delay?

Many users and community analysts speculate that H-rated content could be behind the stalled review process. However, this reasoning isn't entirely convincing given Steam's history with the franchise. In the past, Valve has approved Nekopara titles after applying cuts or adaptations. Furthermore, Nekopara After also has a version suitable for all audiences. In the absence of official communication, Sekai Project is unable to address potential objections or adapt content to meet Steam guidelines. This lack of feedback turns the process into a guessing game. It directly impacts the studio's business planning and the fan experience. ---

A disappointed but active community

Nekopara fans have expressed their disappointment with the situation on social media, forums, and in the comments sections of digital stores. Some have expressed solidarity with Sekai Project, highlighting Valve's lack of professionalism. Others are demanding more media pressure so the platform can provide a definitive answer on the game's review status. Meanwhile, many users have opted to purchase the game on alternative platforms. This could set an important precedent for future releases that face similar barriers on platforms like Steam, especially for titles like Nekopara.