Today, we are re-indexing free adult NSFW content . We are still in ongoing discussions with payment processors and will be re-introducing paid content slowly to ensure we can confidently support the
(Speaking with Aftermath, Itch’s founder, Leaf Corcoran, specifically cited a notice from Visa as an incident that led to the sudden deindexing of so many games).
A payment processor tells that they either remove the porn games, or they will remove the ability to pay for all games for them. The only company that can stand up to them in any way is one large enough to call the bluff and the payment processor wouldn’t be willing to actually lose.
And that list is basically Amazon, Apple, Google and stuff like that, and definitely not a tiny thing like itch.io.
Valve was the first to fold. And apparently it wasn’t to Visa or Mastercard but to some intermediaries. Not sure how much pull those have, but probably still pretty big given what happened.
So devs got to eat it because this company can’t stand up to Mastercard and Visa.
Itch.io is currently saying the problem is Stripe, and maybe Visa.
Historically (ex: https://otakuusamagazine.com/visa-and-mastercard-refuse-to-work-with-another-doujinshi-retailer/), I’d say Mastercard and Visa are both to blame. But the jury is still out on wtf is going on here.
I’m not sure who pressured Steam. But Itch.io (https://aftermath.site/steam-itch-porn-censorship-collective-shout-visa-mastercard-paypal) is claiming Stripe and Visa are pressuring them.
A payment processor tells that they either remove the porn games, or they will remove the ability to pay for all games for them. The only company that can stand up to them in any way is one large enough to call the bluff and the payment processor wouldn’t be willing to actually lose.
And that list is basically Amazon, Apple, Google and stuff like that, and definitely not a tiny thing like itch.io.
Valve stands a better chance of making a stand, but it’s still a single sandbag vs a tsunami
Valve was the first to fold. And apparently it wasn’t to Visa or Mastercard but to some intermediaries. Not sure how much pull those have, but probably still pretty big given what happened.
Yeah, Valve folded first, but with itch pushing back a little it gives me hope that Valve will do the same, but with a little more teeth.