The indie digital game store Itch.io recently de-indexed a significant portion of its Not Safe For Work (NSFW) or adult content. While these games are not entirely removed from the platform, this action means they can no longer be discovered through the site`s search functionality. This move followed a campaign initiated by the organization Collective Shout, which pressed both Itch.io and Steam to compel payment processors to cease facilitating transactions for certain content categories. In response, an updated FAQ from Itch.io now confirms the platform is actively seeking to collaborate with other payment processors amenable to handling NSFW and adult content.
Elaborating on the timeline for these ongoing adjustments, Itch.io stated, “The situation is evolving as we await final determinations from our current payment processors, Stripe and PayPal. There are still unknowns that prevent us from providing a fixed timeline.”
The platform further detailed its immediate actions: “In the meantime, we are actively reaching out to other payment processors that are more willing to work with this kind of content. We have suspended the ability to pay with Stripe for 18+ content for the foreseeable future. Our immediate focus has been on content classification reviews and implementing stricter age-gating on the site.”
The expanded FAQ also provided insight into why Itch.io saw a much larger volume of game removals compared to Steam. Itch.io clarified that this discrepancy stems from their fundamental operational differences: “Steam is a `closed` platform where every product page is approved before it appears on the store. Because they were generally aware of the content they host, they could identify and act on specific pages.”
In contrast, Itch.io operates as an open, “UGC” (User-Generated Content) platform. With over two million product pages, users can publish content at any time with minimal barriers. Consequently, Itch.io could not rely on user-submitted tags for accurate content identification, necessitating a broader and more comprehensive review process.
Since these policy changes were implemented, prominent payment providers like Visa and Mastercard have reportedly been inundated with emails and phone calls from users protesting the restrictions on adult content. Furthermore, the International Game Developers Association has publicly issued a statement condemning Itch.io`s actions.