Here’s a rewritten version of the article, aiming for 100% uniqueness while retaining the core facts:
payment Processors’ Crackdown on Adult Games Sparks Outrage and Industry Backlash
A recent wave of delistings on popular gaming platforms like Steam and Itch.io, affecting a wide range of adult-oriented games, has ignited a firestorm of criticism from developers, industry organizations, and gamers alike. the actions, driven by pressure from major payment processors Visa and Mastercard, have been met with accusations of censorship and arbitrary moral policing.
Visa and Mastercard have stated their adherence to regulations that prohibit the use of their cards for illegal transactions, including the purchase of illegal adult content. They maintain that their actions are not intended to pass moral judgment on legal purchases but rather to comply with legal frameworks.
However, the controversy stems from a campaign spearheaded by the Australian anti-pornography advocacy group Collective Shout. This association has claimed responsibility for lobbying payment processors,asserting that platforms like Steam and Itch.io host games containing themes of “rape, incest and child sexual abuse.” Collective Shout has reported contacting approximately 1,000 individuals and entities to urge payment providers to withdraw support unless thes games were removed.The fallout, though, has been far broader than anticipated. Developers report that games with LGBTQ+ themes or content, as well as those with vaguely defined adult content, have been caught in the purge. Critics argue that payment processors are unfairly imposing their own moral standards, and those of Collective Shout, on what adults can legally purchase and consume.
In response to the payment processor restrictions, both Steam and Itch.io have taken important steps. steam has begun removing content from its storefront and has updated its terms of service with vague language that appears to allow banks to enforce standards on adult-only content. Itch.io, which has historically relied on Stripe for payment processing, has also started de-indexing adult content. While Itch.io is reportedly exploring choice payment processors and is in ongoing discussions, Stripe has confirmed it will no longer support the sale of content deemed “designed for sexual gratification” on the platform.
The gaming community has mobilized in response to these developments. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has expressed serious concern, calling for increased transparency and fairness in the moderation of adult games. Other groups are encouraging widespread public pressure on Visa and Mastercard, urging individuals to voice their objections to what they perceive as censorship.
for a more in-depth understanding of the timeline and broader context of this situation, resources from Wired and CBC offer detailed breakdowns.
