On July 23rd, Itch.io, a digital marketplace for games, began tagging adult content as NSFW (Not Safe For Work), affecting search visibility for many titles. This action is part of a response to a campaign advocating against the objectification of women and girls, which has pressured platforms like Itch.io and Steam to remove adult games.
Itch.io’s founder, Leaf Corcoran, indicated that the “sudden” shift aimed to ensure compliance with payment processors like MasterCard and Visa, which have significant influence over platform operations. Recently, Steam also pulled various adult games due to similar compliance issues, citing potential violations of payment processor rules.
The campaign against adult content has adversely impacted developers, especially those from marginalized groups. Critics argue that this form of financial censorship harms vulnerable creators rather than protecting them. The broader implications resonate with past campaigns targeting platforms hosting adult content, highlighting concerns about freedom of expression and the sustainability of niche creators in such environments.
Amid this upheaval, a controversial game by Zerat Games was highlighted for its problematic themes, triggering backlash and its removal from several platforms. The ongoing dialogue around these issues reveals the tension between financial controls and creative freedom in the gaming industry.
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