Itch.io is making waves in the indie gaming community as it relists free NSFW (Not Safe for Work) games today. However, paid content remains hidden for now.
Just last week, Itch.io pulled the plug on its entire NSFW games library, a move that sparked outrage among developers, especially as payment providers began scrutinizing NSFW content on major platforms like Steam.
The pushback was swift. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) issued a statement expressing its “serious alarm” over the delistings. Developers took to social media to voice their concerns about the challenges they face in a landscape increasingly influenced by financial gatekeeping.
What’s Changing for NSFW Games
In an update aimed at developers, Itch.io owner Leaf Corcoran confirmed that the platform is re-indexing free adult NSFW content today. “We are still in ongoing discussions with payment processors and will be re-introducing paid content slowly to ensure we can confidently support the widest range of creators in the long term,” Corcoran stated.
To have their NSFW games listed on Itch.io, developers must now select the “no payments” option in their game’s pricing section and complete a new content warnings system for pages marked as NSFW. This step is essential for the platform to navigate the complex landscape surrounding adult content distribution.
Despite the partial return of free content, paid NSFW titles remain off-limits as Itch.io continues to negotiate with payment processors. Stripe, the current provider for credit card transactions on the site, has drawn a hard line, saying it cannot support adult content specifically designed for sexual gratification.
The Bigger Picture
Corcoran revealed that Stripe has faced restrictions from its banking partners, contributing to the decision to keep certain content delisted. Stripe has stated, “We hope to be able to support adult content in the future,” but there’s no clarity on when these capabilities will return.
This situation highlights a systemic issue affecting creators of adult-themed games. The IGDA echoed these sentiments, calling for more transparency and fairness in how platforms moderate adult content. The organization stressed that the recent wave of delistings and monetary disruptions disproportionately affects developers producing legal, consensual, and ethically-developed content, often from marginalized communities.
As major financial service providers like Visa and Mastercard exert pressure on platforms to curb adult content, the narrative is clear: financial institutions now play a pivotal role in which stories are deemed acceptable within the gaming landscape.
This evolving environment poses significant questions for developers and players alike. As Itch.io struggles to strike a balance between creator support and financial scrutiny, the fate of adult games hangs in the balance, making it a critical moment in the indie gaming scene.
Itch.io, NSFW games, and indie games are likely to remain hot topics for the foreseeable future as the industry adapts to these ongoing challenges.