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5d ago

Itch.io Tightens NSFW Policies and Seeks New Payment Partners

Itch.io has published detailed adult content prohibitions tied to card network rules, requiring creators to verify compliance before any deindexed NSFW game can return to its store.

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An illustrative image of a person holding a credit card while shopping on-line on a computer, in an apartment during the coronavirus pandemic. On Tuesday, January 11, 2021, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Yang's games exploring queerness have come under fire before.

Overview

  • Itch.io released a comprehensive list of prohibited themes—including non-consensual acts, incest, bestiality and extreme fetishes—based on the acceptable use policies of PayPal, Stripe and other payment processors.
  • The platform is conducting a catalog-wide audit and will keep all adult titles deindexed until developers certify that their content aligns with each linked processor’s guidelines.
  • Itch.io has begun exploring partnerships with alternative payment providers willing to support legal adult material in order to preserve its marketplace for NSFW creators.
  • Trade bodies UKIE and the IGDA have called for reliance on robust age-rating systems like PEGI and transparent, consistent moderation standards in light of finance-driven delistings.
  • Developers and players have mobilized petitions exceeding 150,000 signatures and public protests, accusing Mastercard, Visa and others of exercising financial censorship over lawful digital content.