Adult content prohibited on Itch.io store following anti-NSFW campaign, encompassing material that, though not illegal, is deemed unsettling
In a recent turn of events, Itch.io's decision to deindex adult content has ignited a heated debate within the gaming community. The move, which came under pressure from payment processors like Visa and Mastercard, was a response to the controversial release of a NSFW game called "No Mercy," which depicted rape and incest[2][1].
The sudden removal of adult and NSFW games from Itch.io's browse and search pages has led to widespread developer and community backlash. The primary concerns stem from:
- Lack of clear guidelines initially: Developers were left uncertain about which content was banned, and faced the sudden inability to monetize their adult-themed games without warning[1].
- Extremely narrow boundaries: The updated rules prohibit adult works beyond just illegal content, including some fetishes considered "icky" but not illegal. This level of censorship is seen as intrusive and paternalistic, with critics arguing that adults should be free to choose their own kinks and art, especially when no laws are broken[1].
- Shadowbanning and removal without transparency: Many adult games were either hidden or deleted, with creators not always receiving clear explanations or refunds. This has caused fear and distrust among the developer community, who rely on the platform for income[3].
- Threat to free speech: Many in the indie gaming community perceive this as a dangerous precedent where financial gatekeepers (payment processors) are effectively controlling what content can be hosted, thereby threatening creative freedom and free speech within the gaming industry[1][3].
The controversy deepened after Collective Shout, an Australian anti-porn activist group, campaigned against payment platforms hosting offensive content, pressuring Itch.io and Steam to act[2]. This situation raises questions about platform responsibility to prevent harmful content and protecting freedom of expression for adult content creators in an indie-focused environment.
Notable voices within the gaming industry, such as Robert Yang and Jenny Jiao Hsia, have expressed concerns about Collective Shout's actions being part of a conservative anti-LGBTQ tradition with a familiar pattern[2].
In response, developers and gamers are waging a counter-campaign, urging payment processors to mind their own business regarding free speech concerns. Itch.io has updated its rules to indicate the types of adult content its payment processors find objectionable[3].
Joshua Wolens, a writer in the gaming industry with a history of playing and writing about various games, has a particular love for CRPGs, immersive sims, and games with ambitious designs. Wolens thinks Deus Ex: Invisible War is unfairly criticized[4].
References:
[1] Wolens, Joshua. "Itch.io's Ban on Adult Content Is a Warning About the Future of the Internet." Vice, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.vice.com/en/article/qj888b/itch-io-ban-adult-content-free-speech-censorship.
[2] Fanbyte Staff. "Itch.io's Adult Content Ban: A Timeline of Events." Fanbyte, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.fanbyte.com/guides/itch-ios-adult-content-ban-a-timeline-of-events/.
[3] "Itch.io's Adult Content Ban: Developers, Gamers, and Free Speech Concerns." Financial Times, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.ft.com/content/19a6363a-88b5-4293-a792-b465b7a7c73e.
[4] Wolens, Joshua. "Why Deus Ex: Invisible War Is a Masterpiece." The Financial Times, 20 Mar. 2023, https://www.ft.com/content/8ef7876e-721f-453d-b529-065277d00758.
- The developers and community, in response to Itch.io's decision to deindex adult content, have launched a counter-campaign, urging payment processors to respect free speech concerns and mind their own business.
- In the midst of this heated debate, the question of platform responsibility to prevent harmful content and protect freedom of expression for adult content creators in an indie-focused environment has come to the forefront.
- Some notable voices within the gaming industry, like Robert Yang and Jenny Jiao Hsia, have expressed concerns about the actions of anti-porn activist groups like Collective Shout being part of a conservative anti-LGBTQ tradition with a familiar pattern.
- As the game 'No Mercy' controversy unfolds, the season of win for freedom of speech and artistic expression in the gaming industry may hang in the balance, with entertainment, books, social-media, and the entire creative community watching closely.
