Itch.io is removing NSFW games to comply with payment processors' rules

Itch.io, a platform for indie game developers, has deindexed and hidden all adult games from its platform to comply with the rules of its payment processors. This decision was prompted by a campaign by the Australian organization Collective Shout, which raised concerns about the presence of games featuring rape, incest, and child sexual abuse on both Itch.io and Steam. Itch.io was forced to act quickly to protect its core payment infrastructure, as it was unable to give creators advance notice. The platform is currently conducting a comprehensive audit of its content and will introduce new compliance measures, requiring creators of adult games to confirm that their titles are allowed under the rules of the payment processors linked to their accounts. While the removal of the game "No Mercy" is celebrated by many, users are concerned about the potential impact on queer content, which may be disproportionately affected by these censorship measures, as it could be tagged as "adult" or "NSFW" even without containing sexual content.