International Game Developers Association "Seriously Alarmed" By Recent Delisting Of Games

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) has released a statement expressing serious concern over the recent delisting of games featuring adult themes on PC storefronts. The statement condemns the lack of transparency and fairness in the moderation of these games, which have often resulted in the removal of legal, consensual, and ethically developed content, particularly from LGBTQ+ and marginalized creators. IGDA highlights that the current enforcement policies are vague and lack clear appeal pathways, leaving creators unsure of how to comply. The organization also suggests that these policy changes are driven by pressure from payment processors, such as Visa and Mastercard, who may threaten to withhold services from platforms hosting adult content. IGDA is calling for clearer guidelines from both platforms and payment processors to distinguish between prohibited and lawful adult expression, emphasizing the importance of allowing games to explore themes of intimacy, pleasure, trauma, and identity. The organization also recommends the formation of advisory panels and regular transparency reports to address these issues. The statement concludes by emphasizing that this is not just about adult content, but about developer rights, artistic freedom, and the sustainability of diverse creative work in the games industry. IGDA is urging platforms, payment processors, and industry leaders to engage in meaningful conversation to address these concerns.