Steam, Itch.io Are Pulling 'Porn' Games. Critics Say It's a Slippery Slope
9 months ago
- #LGBTQ
- #censorship
- #gaming
- Itch.io began deindexing all adult NSFW games from search results without prior notification.
- The move was influenced by Collective Shout, an organization campaigning against platforms hosting adult content.
- Payment processors like Mastercard and Visa have significant power over platforms by potentially withdrawing payment services.
- Collective Shout's campaign led to the removal of hundreds of games from Steam and Itch.io, including those with sensitive themes.
- Developers, especially from marginalized communities, are affected by these removals, even for non-sexual content like mental health discussions.
- Itch.io's founder, Leaf Corcoran, stated the platform must comply with payment processors to continue operations.
- Critics argue that such financial censorship disproportionately impacts vulnerable creators and LGBTQ+ content.
- Collective Shout denies being anti-porn but opposes content they view as promoting violence against women.
- Games like 'Consume Me' and 'Last Call,' which address body image and domestic abuse, were also caught in the removals.
- Developers and advocates warn against conservative groups using financial pressure to control content and silence marginalized voices.