GOG’s NSFW Game Giveaway Fights Gaming Censorship
▼ Summary
– GOG launched a new website offering 13 delisted games for free, framing it as a protest against the removal of creative works from digital platforms.
– The giveaway, available for 48 hours, includes mostly sexually explicit games recently removed from other storefronts due to pressure from payment processors.
– Payment processors like Mastercard and Visa faced pressure from an anti-porn campaign, leading to mass delistings of games, including those with LGBTQ themes or sensitive topics.
– Developers and players criticized the delistings as censorship, prompting petitions and calls for clearer rules and appeals processes from organizations like the IGDA.
– GOG’s website emphasizes that the removed games were legal, arguing players should have the freedom to purchase them despite external moral judgments.
GOG has launched a bold initiative to challenge gaming censorship by offering 13 previously delisted adult-themed games for free. The digital distribution platform unveiled a dedicated website, FreedomToBuy.games, where users can claim these titles within a 48-hour window. This move directly responds to recent mass removals of sexually explicit games from major storefronts like Steam and Itch.io following pressure from payment processors.
The controversy began when conservative groups targeted payment providers, urging them to block transactions for games containing adult content. This led to thousands of titles being abruptly pulled, including many that addressed LGBTQ+ themes or complex narratives rather than explicit material. Developers and players alike criticized the removals as financial censorship, arguing that payment companies shouldn’t dictate what legal content adults can access.
GOG’s campaign emphasizes preservation, stating that legal games deserve to remain available regardless of subjective discomfort. “When games disappear today due to bias, reviving them tomorrow becomes nearly impossible,” their announcement reads. The platform also invites other developers to join the protest by offering their delisted games for free through the same initiative.
Payment giants Mastercard and Visa have denied imposing moral judgments, claiming their policies only target potentially illegal content. However, no evidence suggests the removed games violated laws. Critics argue these policies lack transparency, leaving developers without clear guidelines or recourse when their work is unfairly banned.
The gaming community has mobilized against the crackdown, with petitions and social media campaigns urging payment processors to reconsider. Organizations like the International Game Developers Association advocate for fairer policies, including proper warnings and appeals processes. Meanwhile, platforms like Itch.io have started reinstating some NSFW games, but only if developers distribute them without charge.
GOG’s stance reflects a growing industry debate: who gets to decide what games should exist? By temporarily resurrecting these titles, the platform highlights the risks of letting financial intermediaries control creative expression. Whether this protest sparks lasting change remains uncertain, but it has undeniably amplified conversations about censorship and artistic freedom in gaming.
(Source: GAMESPOT)
