itch. io's Sudden Shift: What's Happening to Adult Games?

Popular indie game platform itch.io has begun removing adult-themed games following pressure from a group called Collective Shout. The group had urged payment companies like Visa and MasterCard to stop supporting these games.

Users Notice Changes

Users first noticed that adult games were missing from search results. Itch.io later confirmed that these games had been removed from their main pages, calling the move a "sudden and disruptive" change. The platform stated that the decision was made due to pressure from payment processors.

Collective Shout's Open Letter

Collective Shout had written an open letter targeting both itch.io and Steam. They accused the platforms of hosting games with "bad content", including the controversial "sexual assault simulator" No Mercy. The group also mentioned other games with similar themes.

Game Suspensions and User Concerns

As a result, itch.io has started reviewing all their games to ensure compliance with payment processor rules. Some games have already been suspended, meaning users can no longer buy or download them.

The change has left many users confused and upset, as they wonder what will happen to their purchased games. Itch.io has yet to provide a clear answer.