Itch.io, a popular indie video game marketplace, made headlines this week when it announced that it had removed adult and not-safe-for-work (NSFW) games from its browse and search pages. This decision came in response to pressure from Collective Shout, an advocacy group known for criticizing various forms of media for promoting violence and exploitation.
Collective Shout specifically targeted Itch.io and Steam for selling a controversial game called “No Mercy,” which depicted themes of rape and incest. In an open letter to payment processors like PayPal, Mastercard, and Visa, Collective Shout argued that supporting games that glorify violence against women contradicts efforts to combat gender-based violence.
Steam also responded to the campaign by announcing a ban on games that violate the standards set by payment processors and banks. Itch.io followed suit, stating that they needed to comply with their payment partners’ regulations to continue operating as a marketplace for developers.
The company clarified that “No Mercy” had been temporarily available on Itch.io before being banned in April. The sudden removal of NSFW content was necessary to protect the platform’s payment infrastructure, although it caught creators off guard with little notice.
Itch.io is currently conducting a comprehensive audit to ensure that all games on the platform align with payment processor requirements. Adult content will remain deindexed until the audit is complete, and creators will need to confirm that their content complies with payment policies moving forward.
Critics of Itch.io’s decision have pointed out that the platform’s terms regarding adult content violations are strict, with funds in offending accounts deemed ineligible for payout. This approach has sparked concerns about the potential financial repercussions for developers who run afoul of the rules.
This situation reflects a broader trend of payment companies influencing online platforms’ policies on adult content. Gumroad and OnlyFans have faced similar pressures from payment providers, leading to restrictions on NSFW content that have been met with backlash from creators and users.
A Change.org petition with over 137,000 signatures has called on Mastercard and Visa to stop censoring legal fictional content and to resist influence from activist groups that advocate for censorship based on moral objections. The petition highlights the ongoing debate around the role of payment processors in shaping online content policies and the implications for creators and consumers alike.
