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Itch.io Reinstates NSFW Content Amid Payment Partner Shift

8/2/2025

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Summary

Itch.io Re-Indexes NSFW

Itch.io is taking a bold step by re-indexing free NSFW content after a brief removal prompted by payment giants Mastercard and Visa. Founder Leaf Corcoran announced a gradual return of paid adult content while seeking new payment partners to ensure compliance and support creators without compromising their work.

Summary

Developers Protest Censorship

Steam and itch.io have taken down a wave of NSFW games following pressure from payment processors influenced by Collective Shout, an Australian advocacy group. Developers are voicing their outrage, claiming this censorship hinders artistic freedom and unfairly targets LGBTQ content. The International Game Developers Association is urging for clearer guidelines and more transparency in content moderation.

History

Historical Context

The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), enacted in 2018, imposed stringent data protection laws affecting platforms like Itch.io. In 2025, Itch.io removed thousands of adult games under pressure from payment processors, highlighting ongoing tensions between artistic expression and regulatory compliance. This situation has prompted calls for clearer guidelines from organizations such as the International Game Developers Association.

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Itch.io Re-Indexes NSFW

Itch.io is taking a bold step by re-indexing free NSFW content after a brief removal prompted by payment giants Mastercard and Visa. Founder Leaf Corcoran announced a gradual return of paid adult content while seeking new payment partners to ensure compliance and support creators without compromising their work.

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