Steam and Itch.io have removed various adult games following pressure from the collective group Collective Shout, which issued an open letter to payment processors concerning titles featuring sexual violence and other sensitive themes. This campaign prompted the removal of many titles, some unrelated to the specific themes criticized. While Collective Shout stated it only targeted games with explicit content, many developers noted that their titles—often including LGBTQ+ themes—were unjustly affected by this broad censorship. Users have voiced concerns that this is a slippery slope that harms marginalized communities. Collective Shout has also considered exerting pressure on crypto payment processors, although most current crypto solutions remain centralized. Industry experts noted that the reliance on such centralized payment systems poses a risk for developers whose livelihoods are threatened by these actions. The discussion highlights ongoing tensions between censorship and creative freedom in gaming, especially as it relates to the rising influence of advocacy groups in content moderation.

Source 🔗