Itch.io Reinstates Free Adult Games Amidst Payment Processor Pressure
Indie game platform Itch.io is re-indexing free adult content after delisting thousands of titles due to pressure from conservative group Collective Shout. The group targeted payment processors like Visa and Mastercard, prompting concerns for the platform's financial relationships. While some free content returns, paid adult games remain inaccessible as Itch.io negotiates with payment partners.
Key points
- Indie game platform Itch.io has begun re-indexing some previously delisted adult content.
- The move follows pressure from conservative group Collective Shout, which targeted payment processors over games depicting sexual violence.
- Itch.io delisted over 20,000 titles last month to maintain relationships with payment partners like Visa and Mastercard.
- The reinstatement currently applies only to free adult games; paid content remains unavailable.
- Itch.io founder Leaf Corcoran stated ongoing discussions are underway to reintroduce paid content responsibly.
Independent gaming platform Itch.io has started to reinstate some adult-themed content that was previously removed from its searchable catalog. This action comes after the platform delisted over 20,000 titles last month, a move attributed to pressure from conservative advocacy group Collective Shout.
Collective Shout had targeted payment processors, including major financial institutions like Visa and Mastercard, urging them to cease business with platforms hosting adult games, particularly those alleged to depict sexual violence. This campaign led Itch.io, and similarly Steam, to remove or deindex adult content to comply with the demands of their financial partners.
While Itch.io's founder, Leaf Corcoran, indicated that paid adult games are still affected by ongoing discussions with payment processors, the platform is now reintroducing free-to-download adult titles. This step aims to support creators while Itch.io works to secure long-term operational stability and ensure it can accommodate a broad range of developers.
Sources
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