Hello, Valve. I understand you’re busy managing content on the platform, including banning adult-themed games, but I wanted to check in regarding a concerning issue. For the third time this year, malware has found its way into a new game on the Steam storefront. This alarming pattern raises questions about the security of the platform.
The latest incident involved a post-apocalypse crafting game named *Chemia*, which had its files injected with spyware by a known hacker on July 22nd. Researchers discovered that two packages, HijackLoader and Fickle Stealer, were stealthily added to the game files with the intent of distributing them through Steam’s store. Despite the breach, *Chemia* remains available for download through Steam’s Playtest feature, which serves as an invitation-only beta testing program. Since the game has been in Early Access for 15 months without a defined release date or current user reviews, it’s likely that the number of users affected by this infection is minimal.
Fortunately, both malicious packages were removed swiftly from Steam. From what we can gather, *Chemia*, developed by Aether Forge Studios, has appeared legitimate among the numerous titles posted on Steam that often remain in development for extended periods. However, there is a possibility that Aether Forge Studios was hacked, compromising their access to the Steam platform. This situation emphasizes the need for stronger security measures to protect users who rely on Steam for safe game downloads.