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Payment Giants Force Steam, itch.io to Remove NSFW Games

8/1/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Steam and itch.io have bowed to pressure from payment giants like Visa and Mastercard, removing a host of NSFW games. Indie developers are outraged, viewing this as a direct attack on artistic freedom that stifles creativity and storytelling. The International Game Developers Association demands clearer guidelines and transparency in these enforcement actions.

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Story summary

Steam and itch.io have bowed to pressure from payment giants like Visa and Mastercard, removing a host of NSFW games. Indie developers are outraged, viewing this as a direct attack on artistic freedom that stifles creativity and storytelling. The International Game Developers Association demands clearer guidelines and transparency in these enforcement actions.