A Japanese game developer, identified only as Actor, found themselves tangled up in Steam’s content moderation policies, causing a delay in the release of their horror game 'Spanking Exorcist'. As a way to apologize for the disruption, the developer launched a free, tongue-in-cheek 'apology game' on 24 July. This interactive gesture allows players to virtually spank the developer as a symbolic form of reparation for the delay.
Inside the apology game
Automaton reported that the apology game is intentionally simple and stripped back. It presents a cartoon-style illustration of a buttock from an overhead perspective, surrounded by Japanese text. Alongside this, there's a link to 'Spanking Exorcist's Steam page and a button allowing users to exit the game. The core feature is a button that, when pressed, sets off a jiggling animation of the illustrated buttock, accompanied by a sound effect resembling a slap. The game is intentionally light-hearted and doesn’t aim to be deep or intricate.
Curious about the apology game, a journalist decided to download the Apology.exe file via a Google Drive link provided by the developer, despite the security warnings from Google Drive and Windows. They proceeded with the download and ran the file, acknowledging the risks involved. A system scan was initiated to ensure safety as they tried out this unconventional digital offering.
A delayed, but ultimately successful launch
'Spanking Exorcist' was originally set for a 24 July launch, but the developer faced a setback when Steam’s content moderation flagged certain aspects of the game. Actor apologized for the delay and offered the apology game as a token of their remorse and gratitude toward their audience.
'Spanking Exorcist' finally became available on Steam just six days after the original release date. Priced at $6 under normal circumstances, it was available for $5.39 during a launch sale. The game has been described as a gag horror title, more risqué than usual but fitting the niche of games that streamers often engage with for dramatic or comedic reactions.
Issues with content moderation on Steam have long been a topic of discussion within the gaming community. The developer of 'Spanking Exorcist' even joked that the problem might stem from a single overzealous individual at Valve who holds a particular grudge against adult-oriented Japanese content. While Steam still hosts some highly controversial games—like the 'Furry Hitler' series and Alex Jones' questionable title—others, such as 'Plantation Simulator', have been voluntarily removed by their developers after facing backlash from Kotaku's reporting.
Actor shared their apology regarding the delay on X (commonly known as Twitter), with the message auto-translated from Japanese. They stated, 'We would be delighted if you enjoy it,' referring to the apology game. Though the delay was frustrating, the eventual successful release of 'Spanking Exorcist' marks a satisfying conclusion to the situation.
The game's aesthetic, which blends unsettling visuals and adult themes, is a hallmark of certain subcultures in Japanese media. While it has carved out a specific audience—often among horror fans and streamers—it also risks falling afoul of more conservative or stringent content moderation policies in other regions.
The apology game itself is emblematic of Actor's approach: irreverent, self-deprecating, and unapologetically niche. It’s a creative pivot that turns a setback into a bonding moment between developer and audience. The humor in the situation was also not lost on the community, as many took to social media to share their amusement at the absurdity of the scenario: a developer offering to be spanked in return for their audience's forgiveness.
The developer’s wry commentary on Steam’s moderation practices and their humorous response to being flagged adds a layer of meta-commentary to the situation. Actor’s joke about Valve possibly having a single overzealous employee who disapproves of Japanese adult content points to a broader sentiment in the community—namely, that content moderation can sometimes feel inconsistent or even arbitrary.
Despite the delay and the ensuing controversy, 'Spanking Exorcist’ appears to have found its footing. The fact that it managed a launch six days after the original target date suggests that the issue, while frustrating, was not insurmountable. The $6 price point and its availability during a $5.39 launch sale position it as a modest but accessible title for horror enthusiasts willing to embrace its niche sensibilities. Ultimately, the saga of 'Spanking Exorcist' offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of creativity, moderation, and humor in the indie game sphere.