Less than a week after Steam introduced new regulations to completely ban the previously relatively loose adult content (NSFW), the world-renowned independent game platform Itch.io followed Steam’s footsteps and announced that it would radically change the way adult content is presented on the platform. Although the specific scope of the Platform ‘ s change is not yet clear, official statements confirm that Itch.io is in urgent action.
This wave began earlier this year. An adult game called No Mercy, which briefly landed on the Steam and Itch.io platforms, dealt with quite extremes such as sexual violence and violations of family ethics. Because of its sensitive content, the game was widely condemned and boycotted by multinationals once it was exposed, and the platform was strongly urged to lower it. Itch.io immediately banned the game, but the player was still able to play on the Steam platform.
No Mercy is a 3D selected interactive drama game for adults developed by Zerat Games, and the story revolves around reorganizing the relationship between the player and stepmother in the family. The production group claimed to focus on the theme of family relations and values in the interactive drama format. Multi-branch storylines and multiple endings, high-quality 3D animations and animations.
Following a collective boycott, Zerat Gomes issued an open letter of scorn, in which he justified it by stating that “people make videos and swear to talk about elements that do not exist in the game” and by saying, “More ridiculously, instead of chasing traffic blindly, do something”. Eventually, under strong pressure from industry organizations on Steam, Zerat Gomes announced that the game would go down from all digital platforms.
In response to the game’s downside, Zerat Games responded that the downside was a voluntary act based on commercial considerations. The developers also clarified: “The theme of the game is indeed sensitive. We remain neutral and support the right of players to play games while respecting local laws. No Mercy, like all fictional works, should understand the difference between fiction and reality.”
Today, the actions of Itch.io stem from pressure from external payment channels. The feminist advocacy organization “Collective Shoot” sent an open letter to the payment processor requesting that it cease to service the online platform for hosting open games. Collective Shut also claims that Steam’s downplaying adult games are the result of its efforts. In response to this pressure, Itch.io indicated that all adult games had been temporarily removed from search and browsing, while evaluating follow-up measures.
In its statement, itch.io stated that it was a “critical moment” for the platform and apologized for failing to notify the developers of the game involving adult content (NSFW), indicating that early warning was “unrealistic”.
The statement further explained: “We are conducting a comprehensive content audit to ensure that the needs of payment processors are met. The relevant page will remain unindexed (not searchable/browsing) until the review is completed. Upon completion of the audit, we will introduce new compliance measures. For adult content pages, a new step will be added: the creator must confirm that the content meets the requirements of the payment processor’s policy in relation to its account in order to continue to operate.”
Itch.io is the largest independent game platform in the world, and because of its free creative environment, the lower platform is drawn (10 per cent or not), attracting a large number of independent creators. The platform covers not only games but also animation, MOD, visual novels and other forms of interactive art. Especially with regard to the content of the NSFW, itch.io is freer, more open and more experimental and personal than the traditional platform. But now, it has been confirmed by Itch.io that, as part of this comprehensive overhaul, an unknown number of NSFW games will be permanently removed.
