Mastercard Responds: No Pressure on Steam and Itch.io to Remove Adult Games – What This Means for Gamers

Mastercard recently stated that it has not imposed restrictions on game creator platforms, which contradicts claims made by Steam and itch.io.

In a Twitter update, Mastercard clarified its position: “We allow all lawful purchases, but we require merchants to have the right controls to prevent any unlawful activity.” This response comes after Steam took action against adult content, removing several “adults only” games from its platform and updating its guidelines. Steam specifically said it would disallow content that conflicts with the rules of its payment processors.

Just days later, itch.io echoed this sentiment by “deindexing” many NSFW games from its search results. The platform announced that it faced scrutiny from payment processors following pressure from the group Collective Shout. They intend to review content to ensure compliance with these processors’ standards. While itch.io has since reinstated some free adult content, the return of paid content will be gradual, pending ongoing discussions with payment processors.

The payment processor Stripe also commented on the situation, noting it could not support adult content due to restrictions from its banking partners. They indicated hope for future support.

Collective Shout is a non-profit organization focused on combating the sexualization of women and girls. Their campaign aims to address what they see as inappropriate content in video games. However, many game developers argue this leads to unnecessary censorship, affecting games that respectfully discuss heavy topics like trauma and sex trafficking.

Recent discussions on social media reveal a considerable backlash against Mastercard and other payment processors. Grassroots campaigns have emerged, urging individuals to flood customer support lines to express their discontent with restrictions on adult content. While early results of this campaign seem anecdotal, Mastercard’s recent response may indicate that the pressure is gaining traction.

Additionally, itch.io is looking into alternative payment processors that might be more favorable toward adult material. Meanwhile, Valve, the parent company of Steam, has not yet publicly addressed the ongoing situation.

Overall, the clash between content creators, payment processors, and advocacy groups raises important questions about censorship, freedom of expression, and the way adult content is managed in the digital landscape. This ongoing dialogue highlights the complex relationship between technology, commerce, and societal values.

For further insights, check out IGN for updates from industry experts.

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