Indie Game Platform Itch.io Censors Adult Content Under Payment Processor Pressure
Payment giants force delisting, sparking developer outcry and fears of broader censorship.
The indie game marketplace itch.io has taken drastic action, removing all adult and “NSFW” content from public view. This swift move, effective Thursday, stems from pressure exerted by major payment processors, including Visa and Mastercard, aiming to safeguard the platform’s financial operations.
Platform Scrambles to Meet Unclear Demands
In a candid blog post, itch.io creator **Leaf Corcoran** explained the urgent need to act, stating, “The situation developed rapidly, and we had to act urgently to protect the platform’s core payment infrastructure.”
He apologized for the lack of advance notice, acknowledging the disruptive impact on creators.
This development follows a similar crackdown by Steam, which recently delisted hundreds of adult-themed games. A Valve representative cited payment processor demands, emphasizing the risk of losing payment methods for all games on the platform.
Vague Requirements Fuel Developer Frustration
Itch.io is currently conducting a thorough review of its game catalog to ensure compliance with unspecified payment processor requirements. The lack of transparency surrounding these demands has created significant contention among game developers and their supporters. Future sales of adult games will require creators to self-certify adherence to these vaguely defined measures.
Indie game platform @itchio announced today it’s delisting all NSFW content due to pressure from payment processors like Visa and Mastercard. This follows a similar move by @Steam and has sparked significant debate in the gaming community. #GamingNews #IndieDev #Censorship
— World Today News (@WorldTodayNews) May 4, 2024
Activist Group Blamed for Widespread Delistings
The controversy has intensified with revelations that the conservative Australian group Collective Shout spearheaded a campaign targeting payment processors. In April, the group penned an open letter accusing platforms like Steam of profiting from problematic content, specifically citing the game *No Mercy*, which was removed from Steam prior to the letter’s publication.
Concerns are mounting that this action, initially targeting games depicting extreme themes, could lead to broader censorship. Collective Shout has previously expressed disapproval of titles such as *Detroit: Become Human* and *Huniepop*, suggesting a wider agenda that impacts non-explicit content.
Social media discussions highlight fears that third parties could dictate platform content standards, potentially leading to the suppression of LGBTQ+ themes, echoing sentiments like, “It is a VERY fucking slippery slope… to go from ‘no sex games’ to ‘no games with any LGBTQ+ themes, either’.”
Gaming Community Mobilizes Against Payment Processor Influence
The fallout from these delistings has extended beyond storefronts, with Vice gaming vertical Waypoint reportedly censoring its own article on Collective Shout, leading to staff resignations. This has fueled gamer mobilization, with attention drawn to proposed legislation aimed at limiting payment processors’ influence on business decisions based on political or reputational concerns. A petition on Change.org opposing payment processor control has garnered over 48,000 signatures.
The situation has eroded trust between creators and platforms like itch.io, which were once lauded for their openness. For many, the current events represent a significant blow to the perception of PC gaming as a more liberated space compared to console ecosystems, and a direct affront to their fundamental rights to expression.
One commenter on a related petition expressed the broader implications: “As a result, I am heavily [opposed] to any and all banning of sexual content, because banning sexual content never stops there, it always include non-sexual things. As such the fight to protect peoples’ right to sexual expression is vital for protecting my right to exist.”
**Leaf Corcoran** indicated that further details regarding platform content guidelines will be shared as they become available, stating, “I’m sorry we can not share more at this time as we are still getting a full understanding of the situation ourselves.”
