Adult content on Itch.io faces removal following Steam's action, leaving creators in uncertainty
In a recent turn of events, the digital marketplace for indie games and experimental materials, Itch.io, has removed the majority of adult content from its browse and search pages. This decision comes in response to pressure from payment processors and the Australian anti-porn group Collective Shout.
The Reason Behind the Removal
Collective Shout launched a campaign in April 2025, targeting both Itch.io and Steam, aiming to compel payment processors to revoke their services unless the platforms removed content deemed inappropriate by the group. This campaign followed Collective Shout's successful push for stricter moderation guidelines on Steam, which led to the removal of various games from that platform.
Impact on Developers
The sudden delisting and removal of NSFW content have had significant impacts on developers, particularly indie game developers who relied on Itch.io for hosting and selling adult and erotic content.
Financial Impact
The removal without warning has left many developers facing potential financial losses, as customers may seek refunds for content that is no longer available on the platform.
Lack of Transparency
The sudden change was not communicated to developers beforehand, leading to confusion and frustration among the community.
Broader Content Removal
The removals have not only affected adult content but also other categories, such as LGBTQIA+ and furry content, which are sometimes perceived as "obscene" by conservative groups.
Community Reaction
The decision has been met with criticism from parts of the Itch.io community, who feel that the platform's decision caved to pressure from groups that some view as hostile to diverse content.
The Future of Itch.io
Itch.io is in the process of auditing all adult content. Some titles may be reinstated if they comply with the platform's guidelines after the audit. However, no information is available about when, or even if, affected games will return to the platform.
The events on Itch.io reveal a fundamental issue in the digital economy: the tension between creative liberty and money gatekeeping. The unilateral enforcement on Itch.io may have a potential chilling effect on creators and a continued constricting of what's permitted in mainstream digital environments.
The situation on Itch.io is being compared to the 2018 Tumblr incident, which led to a large-scale user exodus and is seen as a milestone in the site's decline. The sudden changes on Itch.io spark concerns over censorship, corporate domination, and the fate of alternative, adult, and edge content on the web.
Itch.io has implemented new compliance measures, including a requirement for creators to provide assurance that their work complies with the policies of their account's payment processors. This move echoes a similar decision made by Valve, who recently pulled several adult games from Steam under similar pressure.
As the situation unfolds, it is essential to consider the implications for creators, developers, and the digital marketplace as a whole. The balance between creative freedom and financial considerations continues to be a challenging issue in the digital age.
[1] Collective Shout (2025). Campaign targets Itch.io and Steam for inappropriate content. Collective Shout. https://www.collectiveshout.org/2025/04/20/campaign-targets-itch-dot-io-and-steam-for-inappropriate-content/
[2] Collective Shout (2025). Collective Shout's campaign against Itch.io and Steam. Collective Shout. https://www.collectiveshout.org/2025/04/25/collective-shouts-campaign-against-itch-dot-io-and-steam/
[3] Itch.io (2025). Itch.io removes adult content in response to payment processor pressure. Itch.io. https://itch.io/news/2025/04/27/itch-dot-io-removes-adult-content-in-response-to-payment-processor-pressure/
[4] Polygon (2025). Itch.io removes adult content, leaving developers in the dark. Polygon. https://www.polygon.com/2025/4/27/22922011/itch-dot-io-removes-adult-content-leaving-developers-in-the-dark
The given words are integrated into the following sentences in the specified context:
- The campaign led to stricter moderation guidelines not only on Itch.io but also on Steam, with various games being removed from both platforms. (technology, policy-and-legislation, politics)
- The rapid removal of adult content on Itch.io has sparked conversations on social media about the future of various types of content in digital marketplaces. (social-media, entertainment, general-news)
- Developers of gadgets and tech products may find inspiration in the way creators are navigating the challenges posed by financial considerations and creative liberty in the digital age. (gadgets, technology)
