Introduction to the Issue
The International Game Producers Association (IGDA) has expressed concern over the recent removal of adult games from digital platforms such as Steam and Itch.io. The association believes that these decisions were made without transparency, affecting legal and consensual games without notice or a clear explanation. This move has raised questions about censorship and the impact on game developers.
Background on the Removals
In late July 2025, Itch.io hid or removed all games marked as NSFW (Not Safe for Work) from search results, citing an internal audit to meet payment processor requirements such as Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal. At the same time, Valve changed the Steam rules, which led to the withdrawal of several games due to the new criteria required by these companies. The IGDA stated that the problem does not reside in the orientation itself but in the way these rules are being applied.
Impact on Game Developers
Many creators have denounced that their games were removed without explanation, even though they present consensual and inclusive narratives or LGBT+ themes. The Association said that many of these contents do not violate legal rules or the rules of the platforms themselves. Games such as "Consume Me" and "Last Call" were referred to as examples of titles affected by the new restrictions. Although they do not contain explicit sexual content, they were hidden from search results at Itch.io because they address topics such as eating disorders and domestic violence.
Pressure from Campaigns and Payment Processors
Part of the pressure to remove these games may have come from campaigns led by organizations such as the Australian NGO Collective Shout, which denounces content with themes such as incest, sexual violence, and child abuse. These measures led payment processors to require more rigorous measures from the platforms, which may have led digital stores to make more widespread and less careful decisions.
Reactions from the Community
The independent production community has reacted intensely to these changes. Several creators accuse payment processors of directly influencing creative freedom through a kind of financial censorship. An online petition has already exceeded 150,000 signatures, requiring transparency in moderation practices and the reversal of some of the recent measures. Itch.io has posted an addendum FAQ to their original blog post about NSFW content, acknowledging the situation and expressing their upset.
Call for Clarity and Responsibility
Given this situation, the IGDA defends greater clarity and responsibility in moderation decisions. The association proposed several recommendations: a clear definition of the rules, transparent communication with creators, the creation of a resource channel, the inclusion of external experts in the review processes, and the publication of regular reports on the adopted measures. These steps are seen as crucial in ensuring that game developers are treated fairly and that censorship is not applied arbitrarily.
Conclusion
The removal of adult games from Steam and Itch.io has sparked a debate about censorship, creative freedom, and the role of payment processors in influencing content on digital platforms. The IGDA’s call for clarity and responsibility in moderation decisions highlights the need for a more transparent and inclusive approach to managing content on these platforms. As the gaming community continues to navigate these changes, it remains to be seen how digital stores will balance the need to comply with payment processor requirements with the need to protect creative freedom and ensure that developers are treated fairly.