Itch.io Announces Re-Indexing of Free Adult NSFW Content

Itch.io began reindexing its free adult NSFW content on July 31 after having removed all its NSFW content. The removal was prompted by demands from The Collective Shout campaign, which used payment processors to help pressure the removal of its NSFW catalog. 

According to Itch.io’s official blog post discussing the matter, the platform is still in discussions with payment processors with the intent of reintroducing paid content slowly. In addition, Itch.io is adding a new content warnings system for pages tagged as NSFW.

Stripe, one of Itch.io’s payment processors, confirmed that it cannot support adult content that fits the following definition: “content designed for sexual gratification.” The gaming platform plans on reviewing the initial list for potential reintroduction; its long-term plan it implement one or more new processors to “avoid putting the platform at risk.” 

Though Itch.io had removed its entire NSFW catalogue in late July, The Collective Shout did not explicitly demand that the platform do so; instead, the campaign had demanded that the gaming platform remove games that host rape, incest, and child sexual abuse-themed games. This development affected Steam as well, resulting in a new vague ruling on the platform. Gamers have been directly contacting payment processors themselves in waves, revolting against the forced change.