Following Steam: Itch.io will also remove adult games at the request of payment systems

Steam recently implemented new rules that saw the store begin blocking games that require payment systems, especially if they are adult games. Now, a similar practice has appeared on the indie platform Itch.io.

The site's developers released an official statement saying they had "de-indexed" all adult content from its recommendations and search pages. The move was forced after Itch.io came under scrutiny from payment operators due to "the nature of some of the content it hosted."

"We have "deindexed" all adult NSFW content from our browse and search pages. We understand this action is sudden and disruptive, and we are truly sorry for the frustration and confusion caused by this change," the statement said.

It goes on to note that the problems began with No Mercy, which was available on Itch.io for a while before being removed in April. At that time, activists from Collective Shout began demanding that Itch.io and Steam, where the game could be purchased, immediately block it because it promoted violence against women.

To achieve their goal, activists contacted payment service companies with reports about the nature of certain content found on Itch.io and Steam. In order to maintain good relations with payment companies, Itch.io was forced to remove No Mercy and other games that may violate the rules.

Itch.io is currently reviewing all adult games on its platform. While this review is ongoing, such games will not appear in search and recommendations. Once the review is complete, new rules will be implemented: developers will have to confirm that their content meets the requirements of the payment systems they use.

Once the review is complete, projects that do not meet the payment system requirements will be completely removed from the platform. Users whose games will be removed will be notified by email.