Legal & Ethical Standards for Adult Visual Novel Games
Content Restrictions: What Not to Include
To ensure your AVN game remains within legal, ethical, and platform-compliant boundaries, do not include the following:
1. Sexualization of Minors
Even if characters are fictional, anime-style, or presented with “thousands of years old” tropes, if they appear underage, such content may be illegal or banned on most platforms.
Avoid: Schoolgirl sex scenes, “loli” or “shota” characters, or underdeveloped bodies in adult content.
2. Bestiality
Sexual interactions between humans and real animals, or hyper-realistic animal-like beings, are illegal or banned in most countries.
Avoid: Realistic depictions of wolves, dogs, horses, etc., even if anthropomorphized.
3. Non-consensual Content
Rape, forced sex, or coercion is illegal or restricted unless clearly presented as fictional fantasy with proper disclaimers.
Avoid: Mind control that removes consent, scenes lacking safe framing or opt-out options.
4. Unlabeled Adult Content
All games with adult content must be labeled 18+ and include appropriate content warnings.
Avoid: Uploading explicit content to general gaming platforms without warnings or proper labels.
5. Obscenity / Extreme Fetish
Certain fetishes (e.g., gore, vore, scat, crushing, mutilation) are considered obscene or may be illegal in some jurisdictions.
Avoid: Any extreme or bodily harm-related fetish unless fully fictional, legal, and clearly marked.
Best Practices for AVN Game Developers
- Age Verification & 18+ Labeling
Always use a startup screen to confirm users are 18+. Clearly label your game, cover art, and pages as adult content. - Content Warnings
Include trigger/content warnings before the game or specific scenes.
Example: “This game contains themes of domination, voyeurism, and consensual BDSM. All characters are 18+.” - Consent is Essential
Even in fantasy settings, show or imply consent. For BDSM, use safe words. For mind control, employ magical contracts or opt-in mechanics. - Clarify Fictional Nature
Add disclaimers: “This is a work of fiction. All characters are 18+. These scenarios are not endorsements of real-life behavior.” - Check Local Laws
Laws vary by country. What is allowed in one region may be illegal in another—always research before publishing.
Category-by-Category Guidelines and Safe Examples
BDSM
- Show consensual kink play, use safe words, and aftercare.
- Do not depict abuse, permanent injury, or lack of consent.
Dom/Sub Dynamics
- Ensure roles are voluntary and respectful.
- Do not portray involuntary slavery or coercion.
Voyeurism/Exhibitionism
- All parties should be aware, or it must occur in a safe, public zone (e.g., a strip club).
- Do not use hidden cameras or spying without consent.
Cheating/Cuckold/NTR
- Frame as fantasy and explore emotional fallout when relevant.
- Do not glorify non-consensual cheating unless marked as dark fiction.
Age-Gap Romance (18+)
- Both characters must be clearly adults.
- Avoid teacher/student or step-family dynamics unless characters are aged up and disclaimers are clear.
Polyamory/Threesomes
- All parties must enthusiastically agree.
- Do not pressure characters into group sex.
Fetish-Based Games
- Keep content legal and clearly fictional (e.g., feet, clothing, roleplay).
- Avoid extreme or illegal fetishes.
Transformation/Body Swap
- Make changes magical, fun, and consensual (or reversible).
- Do not force identities or bodies without consent or resolution.
Monster Romance (e.g., Incubus/Succubus)
- Focus on love, consent, and fantasy elements.
- Avoid making monster sexual encounters seem like assault.
Player Roles, Gameplay Styles, Tone & Visuals
- All protagonist options and gameplay styles are permitted as long as all characters are 18+ and content is legal.
Summary Checklist for AVN Developers
- Always use clear age 18+ labeling.
- Ensure all depicted relationships are between consenting adults.
- Provide content warnings and disclaimers.
- Avoid minors in sexual content, realistic bestiality, and illegal fetishes.
- Be cautious with non-consensual themes, mind control, and age-gap relationships.
- Only use legal, fictional depictions and seek clarification when in doubt.
How to Upload and Publish an AVN Game
Step 1: Prepare Your Game File
- Zip your complete AVN game folder (include all necessary files).
- Name the ZIP file: GameTitle_v1.0.zip (replace v1.0 with your version number).
- For different operating systems, create separate product listings.
Step 2: Add Your Game as a Product
- Use “Add new product” in your dashboard.
- Fill in all information, including tags/keywords for better search visibility.
- Mark the game as “Downloadable” and “Virtual.”
- Upload your .zip file. Once uploaded, use the media screen to insert/add the URL or link.
- Enter the file name/description and upload other OS versions if needed.
- Set the price to zero unless you have explicit permission to charge.
- Complete all other fields and publish your listing.
- In your long description, you may insert external links (dev logs, trailers, Discord, etc.).
Step 3: SEO Optimization
- Our team will assist with SEO to help your game reach a wider audience.
If you encounter any issues, contact us via the contact page or email support@avngamesconclave.com.
How to Add External Links (Patreon, Discord, etc.)
Step 1: Go to Your Profile Settings
- Log into your developer account and open your profile/dashboard.
- Navigate to the Settings page.
Step 2: Use the Store Description Field
- In the Store Description, add your links (e.g., Patreon, Ko-fi, Discord server, Twitter, etc.).
- You can switch from Visual to HTML Code mode in the description field for more formatting options.
Example:
Welcome to my AVN game studio!
Developer: Jane Dev
Patreon: patreon.com/janedev
Discord: Join our server
Twitter: @janedev
Choose the links that matter most to your audience, such as donation or community pages. These links will appear directly on your public developer profile page.
Reminder:
- Ensure your links are working and public.
- You are fully responsible for any external links and donations received outside our platform.
- Consider including donation methods in your game descriptions for better visibility, and please remember to support our platform as well.
If you have additional questions about legal requirements, uploading, or best practices, please reach out to our support team. We’re here to support both your creativity and our community’s safety.