Itch.io is the latest marketplace to crack down on adult games

This week, the indie gaming platform Itch.io announced a significant policy shift by deindexing adult and not-safe-for-work (NSFW) games from its browsing and search functionalities. This decision comes in response to a campaign spearheaded by Collective Shout, an advocacy group known for its critiques of various media, including video games and music. The group has specifically targeted Itch.io and Steam, raising concerns over the sale of certain titles, like "No Mercy," which portrays sensitive and controversial themes such as rape and incest. In an open letter to major payment processors like PayPal, Mastercard, and Visa, Collective Shout argued that these games promote harmful depictions of violence against women, conflicting with the values these companies profess. In light of the pressure, Steam announced earlier this month that it would review and potentially ban games that do not comply with the standards set by payment processors and related networks. Following suit, Itch.io emphasized the need to prioritize relationships with its payment partners to ensure operational continuity. The company noted that "No Mercy" had been briefly available on its platform before being banned back in April, and the unfolding situation necessitated swift action to safeguard its payment infrastructure. To address compliance, Itch.io is conducting a thorough audit of the games available on its marketplace, placing adult content on hold until this process is finalized. Once completed, creators of NSFW games will need to affirm that their content adheres to the policies of their associated payment processors. The response from users on social media has been critical, highlighting Itch.io's stringent terms, which state that violations regarding adult content result in permanent bans without appeal and forfeiture of funds across all projects associated with the offending account. One developer articulated the harshness of these terms, stating, "If you violate the rules, we take all your money. Not just the money from that work, ALL your money from EVERYTHING you’ve ever made." This incident is part of a broader trend where payment companies exert influence over online platforms regarding adult content. Last year, platforms like Gumroad and OnlyFans implemented stricter regulations, citing similar pressures from payment processors. A petition on Change.org, which has gathered over 137,000 signatures, calls on Mastercard and Visa to cease censoring legal content and to resist pressures from activist groups that may mischaracterize fictional works as harmful.