Itch.io and Steam Remove Adult‑Tagged Content After Payment Processor Pressure

Published: July 30, 2025
 

 What Happened?

Both Itch.io and Steam, two of the largest digital distribution platforms for indie games, have removed thousands of adult-tagged and NSFW (Not Safe For Work) content in response to pressure from their payment processing partners. This unexpected mass takedown includes games, comics, books, and even some LGBTQ+ creative content—triggering backlash across the creator and gamer communities.

 Why Did Itch.io and Steam Remove NSFW Content? 
 

The platforms took action following warnings or restrictions from payment providers, such as PayPal and Stripe, who flagged the platforms for hosting “adult” or “explicit” content. These payment processors are notoriously strict when it comes to adult material—especially in gaming and interactive media.

Key Reason:   
 

 What’s Affected? 
 

• 🕹 Thousands of indie games labeled “NSFW” or with “mature” tags
• 📚 Erotic literature and comics, including LGBTQ+ romance
• 🧑‍🎨 Creator accounts whose profiles were tagged or associated with adult content—even if compliant with the platform’s terms

According to the Itch.io FAQ, the content was removed automatically based on user-applied tags and other account behavior indicators. 
 

 Creator Backlash: Why This Matters

Creators are calling this move: 
 

• 🚨 A form of digital censorship, driven by third-party financial influence
• 🏳️‍🌈 Harmful to queer and marginalized creators, many of whom rely on NSFW art as a safe, legal form of expression
• 💸 Financially devastating, as some rely on Itch.io or Steam sales as a major income stream 
   

Indie developers also note that the lack of communication or appeals process left them blindsided. 
 

 Itch.io Responds 
 

In a follow-up FAQ, Itch.io admitted they had “limited ability to push back” against the demands of their financial providers and that the takedown was based on algorithmic decisions. The platform promised:

• 📄 Clearer guidelines on what’s allowed
• 🔄 A way for creators to appeal mistaken takedowns
• 🧩 A review of how NSFW tags impact visibility and moderation

Steam has not yet issued a public comment at the time of writing.

 FAQ: What Users Are Asking 
 

 Is Itch.io banning all adult content? 
 

No. Itch.io is not banning all adult content, but it is removing items tagged or flagged in certain ways that conflict with payment provider terms. 
 

Can creators get their games reinstated? 
 

Itch.io has stated that appeals will be possible in the near future, but no clear process has been provided yet. 
 

 Why are payment processors cracking down now?

Advocacy groups have recently pressured companies like PayPal to enforce stricter rules against platforms hosting adult content—especially when minors could access it.

What This Means for Indie Game Developers

For indie creators, this moment highlights a critical vulnerability in the digital content ecosystem: platform independence does not equal payment independence. Regardless of hosting freedom, financial services hold disproportionate power to shape what gets seen—or sold.

This incident could push developers to:

• 💳 Seek decentralized or crypto-based payment options
• 🏗 Move to more censorship-resistant platforms
• 🧱 Build direct-to-consumer storefronts to bypass platform rules entirely 
   

✍ Final Thoughts 
 

This story isn’t just about game content—it’s about who controls access to digital creativity and income. As platforms like Itch.io and Steam navigate regulatory and financial landmines, the burden often falls hardest on the smallest creators.

If you’re a creator affected by the purge, consider backing up your work and reviewing alternative storefront options until platforms clarify their policies.