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6d ago

Payment Processors’ Clampdown Prompts Itch.io to Seek New Partners and Draws IGDA Rebuke

Banks and advocacy groups’ interventions have led to vague moderation rules that triggered sudden delisting of legal adult games

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Overview

  • Itch.io suspended Stripe for 18+ content, updated its FAQ to outline prohibited themes and is exploring alternative payment processors while awaiting final determinations from Stripe and PayPal.
  • The International Game Developers Association criticized the enforcement as opaque and urged platforms and processors to publish clear moderation guidelines, structured appeals processes and regular transparency reports.
  • Steam and Itch.io have removed or deindexed hundreds of adult-themed and LGBTQ+ titles after payment processors threatened to withdraw services under pressure from Collective Shout’s open letter.
  • Developers from LGBTQ+ and marginalized communities report disproportionate harm and increasing risk of self-censorship due to sudden policy shifts lacking clear criteria or recourse.
  • Gaming communities have inundated Visa and Mastercard with complaints over financial censorship, and a Change.org petition has neared 200,000 signatures demanding protection for lawful adult content.