“Why Nier: Automata’s Director Warns That Credit Card Companies Censoring Adult Content Threatens Democracy”

As the debate over censorship in gaming heats up, concerns arise about the influence of credit card companies, especially regarding adult content. Recently, Yoko Taro, the director of Nier: Automata, voiced strong opinions on the matter, stating that censorship poses a “security hole that endangers democracy itself.”

This discussion isn’t new. Last November, Manga Library Z, a site for downloading out-of-print manga, shut down due to pressure from international credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard. They asked the site to censor certain content, which raised alarm bells about the extent of power these companies hold over creative content. Taro pointed out that if payment processors can dictate what is published, it threatens free expression globally.

Manga Library Z has since returned, thanks to crowdfunding efforts. However, the video game industry faces similar pressures. Developers of adult-themed games on platforms like Steam and itch.io are struggling with censorship due to recent boycott campaigns. Some fans and creators are now pushing back, encouraging these companies to stop what they call “moral panic.” A petition against this censorship has already gained nearly 100,000 signatures.

Naomi Clark, chair of the NYU Game Center, highlighted that many games caught in this crossfire are personal stories of trauma and identity, such as Jenny Jiao Hsia’s autobiographical game, Consume Me. This situation reflects a broader trend where payment processing companies, often unseen players in the content distribution game, are shaping what creators can share.

It’s worth noting that this issue connects to past instances in the media where regulation has impacted artistic expression. Whether it was music, movies, or literature, creators have always faced challenges from those who wish to control content.

In the current landscape, many see these kinds of censorship efforts as a slippery slope. As more creators come forward, this issue is likely to spark a wider conversation about freedom of expression and the role of payment processors in our digital lives. For more on this topic, you can explore this article that discusses Taro’s views in more detail.

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Automata, Nier: Automata, Visa, Visa Inc., Mastercard, Credit cards, Debit cards, Action role-playing video games, Naomi Clark, Drakengard, Yoko Taro, Video games developed in Japan, Jenny Jiao Hsia, Itch.io, Kotaku