Gamers Protest Censorship of NSFW Games – Here’s Why
▼ Summary
– Trade organizations and gamers are opposing censorship campaigns on Steam and Itch.io, driven by Australian group Collective Shout, which has pressured payment processors to deindex NSFW content.
– Developers, particularly those creating LGBTQ+ or kink-friendly content, are being disproportionately affected, with their games becoming unsearchable despite being legally compliant.
– The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) condemns the delistings, emphasizing that creating mature content is a creative right akin to other storytelling themes.
– Collective Shout’s campaign targeted games with themes like “rape and incest,” leading to mass removals, but some developers dispute the reasons, citing unjust bans for implied content.
– Itch.io has deindexed over 20,000 adult games to comply with payment processors, suspending Stripe payments for 18+ content and seeking alternative processors willing to support such content.
Gamers and developers are rallying against recent censorship waves targeting adult-oriented games on major platforms like Steam and Itch.io, arguing these actions unfairly penalize creators, particularly those from marginalized communities. The controversy stems from pressure by Australian advocacy group Collective Shout, which has successfully lobbied payment processors to restrict transactions for NSFW content. As a result, platforms have begun mass-delisting games, leaving many developers scrambling to determine whether their work has been affected and why.
On social networks like Bluesky, users are compiling lists of artists whose NSFW games, comics, and other works, often LGBTQ+ or kink-friendly, have vanished from search results. While some of these titles remain accessible via direct links, they’ve effectively been erased from platform discovery tools. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) warns that these measures disproportionately harm queer, trans, and creators of color, while also damaging their livelihoods and professional reputations.
Jakin Vela, IGDA’s executive director, expressed deep concern over the trend, stating, “The right to create mature games with legal adult content is no different from the right to explore themes like war, love, or tragedy.” He emphasized that the gaming industry now faces a pivotal moment regarding creative freedom and corporate accountability.
Collective Shout’s campaign initially focused on removing games depicting extreme themes like rape and incest, successfully pressuring payment providers like Visa and Mastercard to intervene. Valve, Steam’s parent company, subsequently purged hundreds of titles, some of which included taboo subject matter. However, developers of unrelated horror or adult games report being caught in the crossfire.
For instance, the team behind Vile: Exhumed claims their game was banned for allegedly featuring “sexual content with depictions of real people,” despite its themes being entirely implied. Developer Cara Cadaver refused to alter the game, stating, “I won’t sanitize my art to appease those who misunderstand it.” Valve has not publicly commented on individual cases.
Itch.io has taken broader action, delisting all adult NSFW content, affecting over 20,000 games, to maintain compliance with payment processors. Founder Leaf Corcoran acknowledged the financial stakes, explaining, “Without reliable payment processing, our platform can’t function for any creator.” The company is now exploring alternative payment partners willing to handle adult content while temporarily suspending Stripe transactions for 18+ material.
Corcoran noted that discussions with payment providers are ongoing, with updates expected soon. Meanwhile, affected developers and their supporters continue pushing back, framing the issue as a battle for artistic expression in an increasingly regulated digital landscape.
(Source: Wired)