Itch.io’s Content Re-indexing: Free Adult NSFW Content Returns, Paid Content Remains Delisted

Last week, the independent game distribution platform Itch.io announced a significant shift in its content policy, sparking considerable debate within the creator and player communities. Following pressure from payment processors and advocacy groups, Itch.io made the decision to delist all adult NSFW content. This move, however, has now been partially reversed. In a recent statement, the platform has confirmed the re-indexing of free adult NSFW content while paid adult NSFW content continues to be delisted. This development has raised questions about the future of adult content on the platform and the broader implications for digital distribution.

The Initial Delisting and Community Outcry

The initial decision by Itch.io to remove all adult NSFW content was met with widespread criticism. Creators who relied on the platform for income expressed concern over the sudden loss of a revenue stream. Players, in turn, lamented the inability to access and purchase content they enjoyed. The situation highlighted the complex ecosystem of digital content distribution, where the availability of creative works is often intertwined with the policies of third-party service providers, particularly payment processors.

The pressure leading to the delisting reportedly stemmed from a combination of factors. Payment processors, such as Stripe, indicated that they would no longer support content deemed “designed for sexual gratification” due to restrictions imposed by their banking partners. Concurrently, advocacy groups like Collective Shout also played a role, although their stated objective was more specific. Collective Shout clarified that their campaign focused on games involving sexualised violence and the torture of women, and they attributed Itch.io’s broader delisting decision to their own approach to Steam regarding these specific types of content. This distinction is crucial, as it suggests a potential misunderstanding or overreach in the implementation of the initial ban, which impacted a much wider range of adult content than initially targeted by the advocacy group.

Itch.io’s Partial Reversal: Free Content Returns

In response to the ongoing dialogue and to mitigate the impact on creators, Itch.io has announced a crucial update. The platform is now re-indexing free adult NSFW content. This means that projects tagged as NSFW and made available at no cost can once again be discovered and accessed on the store. This partial rollback is a significant step, acknowledging the importance of supporting creators who offer their work freely to the community.

The decision to prioritize free content for re-indexing is a strategic one, likely driven by the technical and contractual limitations imposed by payment processors. By focusing on free content, Itch.io can effectively restore access for a segment of its user base and creator base without immediately confronting the payment processing hurdles that led to the initial delisting.

Eligibility Criteria for Free NSFW Content Re-indexing

For creators looking to have their free adult NSFW content re-indexed, specific criteria must be met. According to the platform’s announcement, the primary requirement is to have the “No Payments” option checked within the “Pricing” section of a project’s Edit Page in their Dashboard.

Implications of Enabling “No Payments”

It is important for creators to understand the implications of enabling the “No Payments” option. This setting converts all individual files within a project to be freely available. Currently, Itch.io does not support a configuration that combines “owners only” content with a page that is set to be entirely free with payments disabled. This means that if a creator has previously offered some files for purchase and others for free, enabling this option will make all files accessible at no cost. Itch.io acknowledges this limitation and is exploring new ownership options to address such scenarios in the future. Creators are therefore advised to only enable this option if they intend for all files on their project to be available for free.

New Content Warnings System

In addition to the payment-related changes, Itch.io is also implementing a new “content warnings” system for all pages tagged as NSFW. To be eligible for re-indexing, all page owners will be required to complete this new system. While this feature is not yet fully operational, Itch.io has committed to posting an update when it becomes available. Creators whose pages were previously indexed will be given a time window to complete this requirement to avoid their content being delisted again. This proactive approach to content warnings aims to provide users with more transparency and control over the NSFW content they encounter.

The Ongoing Challenge: Paid Adult NSFW Content

Despite the welcome return of free adult NSFW content, the situation for paid adult NSFW content remains unchanged. Itch.io is still engaged in ongoing discussions with payment processors to find a sustainable solution for supporting paid content. The platform has stated its intention to re-introduce paid content slowly, ensuring that it can confidently support a wider range of creators in the long term.

Stripe’s Position and Payment Processor Restrictions

The core of the issue for paid content lies with the policies of payment processors. Stripe, a long-standing partner of Itch.io, has confirmed that it cannot support adult content that is “designed for sexual gratification.” This restriction is attributed to limitations placed on Stripe by their banking partners, even though card networks themselves generally permit adult content with appropriate registrations.

Stripe has expressed a hope to support adult content in the future but has clearly demarcated its current limitations. This has necessitated Itch.io’s exploration of alternative payment partners that can process card payments for content that Stripe is unable to support. The platform’s long-term strategy involves implementing one or more new processors to mitigate the risk of platform-wide disruptions caused by the policies of a single provider.

The Broader Backlash Against Payment Processors

The difficulties faced by Itch.io are symptomatic of a broader trend and have led to a significant backlash against payment processors, including major players like Visa and Mastercard. Consumers and creators have lodged complaints with these companies, arguing that their actions limit options for purchasing adult NSFW content.

The role of Collective Shout in this landscape is nuanced. While the group claimed success in its campaign, it also clarified that its objective was not to mandate the removal of all NSFW content. Their objections were specifically directed at games involving rape, incest, sexualised violence, and the torture of women, which they argued normalized violence and abuse. Their approach of engaging with payment processors was a direct response to perceived inaction from platforms like Steam. Itch.io’s decision to remove all NSFW content was, according to Collective Shout, a decision made by Itch.io itself, rather than a direct demand for a complete ban. This distinction is important in understanding the differing perspectives and the scope of the original advocacy.

Navigating the Future of Adult Content on Itch.io

The current situation on Itch.io presents a complex landscape for creators and consumers of adult NSFW content. While the re-indexing of free content is a positive development, the continued delisting of paid content highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing creator freedom with the demands of financial intermediaries and external pressures.

Itch.io’s commitment to finding long-term solutions, including exploring new payment partners and developing more robust content management systems like the new content warnings, demonstrates a dedication to navigating these complexities. The platform’s transparency about the limitations imposed by payment processors and its efforts to communicate these challenges to its community are commendable.

The debate surrounding adult content in digital spaces is multifaceted, involving issues of artistic expression, creator rights, platform responsibility, and the ethical considerations of online content. The actions taken by Itch.io, and the broader industry response, will undoubtedly continue to shape how adult-themed creative works are distributed and accessed in the future. For creators, adapting to these evolving policies and understanding the technical requirements for platform eligibility will be crucial. For consumers, staying informed about platform updates and supporting creators through various means will remain essential in ensuring the continued availability of diverse content.

The platform’s move to re-index free content, while a partial solution, signals a willingness to compromise and adapt. The ongoing discussions with payment processors and the promise of a slow, methodical re-introduction of paid content suggest that Itch.io is working towards a more inclusive future. However, the underlying dependencies on external financial services mean that the platform’s ability to support all forms of content will continue to be influenced by policies beyond its direct control. The ultimate success of Itch.io in fully supporting paid adult NSFW content will depend on its ability to secure stable partnerships with payment providers who are willing and able to accommodate this segment of the market.

The situation serves as a stark reminder of the precarious balance that many digital platforms must strike. The desire to foster an open and diverse marketplace of ideas and creative works often butts heads with the practicalities of financial transactions and the evolving regulatory and ethical landscapes that govern online commerce. Itch.io’s response, while met with mixed reactions, reflects a concerted effort to address these challenges head-on and to find a path forward that supports its creator community as much as possible within the existing constraints. The community’s engagement and feedback will undoubtedly continue to play a vital role in shaping the platform’s decisions moving forward.