Collective Shout Sets Record Straight After Itchi.IO and Steam Remove NSFW Titles
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- Organization Collective Shout made a public statement, “setting the record straight.”
- The organization raised objections to rape and incest games on Steam, but was ignored for months.
- Collective Shout turned to payment processors, prompting Itch.io to remove all NSFW games.
The organization Collective Shout, which is responsible for grassroots campaigns in Australia to advocate against the objectification of women in media, released a public statement “setting the record straight.” The organization raised objections to rape and incest on games within Steam’s catalog, but was reportedly ignored for months.
The non-profit turned to payment processors because “Steam did not respond” to them. Collective Shout then told Itch.io to remove rape and incest games, which Collective Shout argues normalizes violence and abuse of women. This then prompted Itchi.io to remove all NSFW content on the platform; the removal of all NSFW was not a direct demand from Collective Shout. Instead, it was more so Itch.io’s method of avoiding conflict, providing the platform an opportunity to reevaluate its content policies.
According to Collective Shout’s official press release, the movement’s supporters had sent 3463 emails to Steam raising concerns regarding rape and incest games. Then, on August 8, the Australian Classification Board pulled the game No Mercy from Steam’s catalog in Australia. A petition was then launched, amassing over 70,000 signatures, but Steam reportedly continued to ignore the movement.
Collective Shout started emailing payment processors, prompting Steam to implement new policies and begin deleting games on July 16.
The movement has begun conversations regarding political agendas and the power held by payment processors.
