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20,000 Games Removed Amid Censorship Controversy on itch.io

7/29/2025

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Summary

Collective Shout Purges

In a dramatic move, over 20,000 adult-themed games were purged from itch.io following pressure from the Australian anti-pornography group Collective Shout and payment processors like PayPal. This decision ignited fierce backlash from gamers, leading to threats against director Melinda Tankard Reist, as critics warn of a chilling effect on indie developers and the looming specter of content censorship.

Summary

UKIE Defends Freedom

The UK games industry is in an uproar as UKIE condemns the removal of adult content from Steam and itch.io. They urge payment processors to respect age rating systems like PEGI, amidst pressure from Collective Shout targeting violent games. This clash threatens creative freedom and casts a shadow over the future of indie developers.

History

Historical Context

The 1984 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in "New York v. Ferber" established states' authority to regulate child pornography, influencing content censorship laws. This decision spurred advocacy groups like Collective Shout, which campaigns against adult content. The recent removal of over 20,000 games from platforms like itch.io and Steam underscores the ongoing conflict between creative freedom and regulatory pressures in the gaming industry.

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Collective Shout Purges

In a dramatic move, over 20,000 adult-themed games were purged from itch.io following pressure from the Australian anti-pornography group Collective Shout and payment processors like PayPal. This decision ignited fierce backlash from gamers, leading to threats against director Melinda Tankard Reist, as critics warn of a chilling effect on indie developers and the looming specter of content censorship.

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