Shifts in Game Store Policies: Itch.io Joins Valve in Banning Adult Content
While platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store dominate the landscape of PC gaming, alternative storefronts such as Itch.io have carved out a niche by focusing on indie and often DRM-free games. Recently, a significant shift occurred in the indie game market when Valve implemented a ban on adult and pornographic titles, a move influenced by pressure from major payment processors including Visa and Mastercard. In a similar vein, Itch.io has now announced their own policy change regarding NSFW (Not Safe For Work) content.
Itch.io’s New Stance on NSFW Games
In a recent blog update, Leaf Corcoran, an executive at Itch.io, stated that the platform will be “deindexing”NSFW games. This action essentially removes such titles from the browsing and search functionalities on their site. Corcoran highlighted that the decision arose from the same concerns regarding payment processor approval that affected Valve, indicating that payment processors are reluctant to engage in transactions tied to adult content.
The No Mercy Controversy
This policy transition can be traced back to the controversial game No Mercy, which faced significant backlash when it was banned from Itch.io in April 2025. Many critics condemned the game as a “rape and incest simulator, ”which prompted widespread discussions about the moral ramifications of such content. The game’s creator, Zerat Games, defended its project by labeling it as a fictional work that mirrors certain explicit themes commonly found online.
Challenges for Developers
Corcoran acknowledged that the rapid evolution of this situation made it challenging for Itch.io to notify affected developers promptly. The implications for payment processing are considerable, and the urgency with which these changes were implemented reflected the seriousness of the matter.
Future Compliance Measures
Currently, Itch.io is undertaking an extensive audit of its game listings to ensure compliance with payment processor standards. Upon completing this audit, the platform intends to introduce new compliance measures that will necessitate developers to align with payment processors’ guidelines before their games can be published.
Historical Context of Content Censorship
This incident isn’t the first in which a gaming platform faced scrutiny for controversial content. For example, in 2016, a game called Hatred, which involved players engaging in violent rampages, was temporarily banned from Steam Greenlight due to its extreme themes.
As the landscape of game distribution continues to evolve, the balancing act between creative expression and compliance with external pressures remains a pivotal challenge for platforms and developers alike.
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