Mastercard Denies Role in NSFW Game Bans as Valve Points to Brand Rules
▼ Summary
– Mastercard denied responsibility for the removal of NSFW games from Steam and Itch.io, stating it allows all lawful purchases and does not evaluate content.
– Valve and Itch.io cited payment processors as the reason for removing games, with Itch.io specifically naming Stripe as suspending payments for 18+ content.
– Mastercard clarified it does not process payments directly but provides the technology and network for transactions, shifting blame to payment processors and acquirers.
– Valve claimed Mastercard influenced the removals indirectly by communicating with payment processors, who cited Mastercard’s Rule 5.12.7 on illegal or brand-damaging transactions.
– The controversy highlights the role of financial institutions in content moderation, with public pressure campaigns potentially influencing outcomes.
The controversy surrounding the removal of adult-oriented games from Steam and Itch.io has taken a new turn, with Mastercard denying direct involvement despite claims from platform operators. Valve and Itch.io previously cited pressure from payment processors as the reason for banning certain NSFW titles, but Mastercard now insists it played no role in these decisions.
In an official statement, Mastercard clarified that it “allows all lawful purchases” on its network while requiring merchants to block illegal transactions. The company emphasized it does not evaluate individual games or dictate content restrictions to platforms. This contradicts earlier reports suggesting credit card companies influenced the removals.
The disconnect appears to stem from how Mastercard operates. Unlike banks or payment processors, it provides the underlying transaction infrastructure rather than handling payments directly. When platforms like Itch.io suspended certain adult content purchases, they pointed to Stripe, a processor that supports Mastercard transactions, as the enforcing party. Similarly, Valve claimed payment processors referenced Mastercard’s Rule 5.12.7, which prohibits transactions deemed harmful to the brand or illegal.
This rule broadly targets content considered “patently offensive” without serious artistic merit, including nonconsensual or exploitative material. Financial institutions risk penalties if they fail to act on violations, which may explain why processors pressured platforms preemptively. Valve attempted to negotiate, stating it “outlined Steam’s policy of distributing legally compliant games”, only to be overruled by processors citing Mastercard’s guidelines.
While Mastercard maintains it didn’t directly intervene, its policies clearly influence payment partners. The situation highlights how financial regulations indirectly shape digital marketplaces, even when content remains legal in certain regions. For now, platforms face tough choices: comply with processor demands or risk losing critical payment methods.
The debate isn’t just about corporate policies, it reflects broader tensions between content moderation, financial oversight, and creative freedom. As gamers and developers push back, the outcome could set a precedent for how payment networks engage with controversial media in the future.
(Source: PCGAMER)
