Itch.io – the digital distribution platform known for its focus on independent game developers and other artists – is today re-indexing adult NSFW (Not Suitable For Work) content that is available for free.
In addition, it is currently in discussions with payment processors who are comfortable with adult material, and will be reintroducing paid content “slowly” to ensure it can “confidently support the widest range of creators in the long term”.
Itch.io noted that payment processor Stripe has said it will not support adult content that has been “designed for sexual gratification”.
In a statement shared with Itch.io, Stripe said:
“Stripe is currently unable to support sexually explicit content due to restrictions placed on them by their banking partners, despite card networks generally supporting adult content (with the appropriate registrations). Stripe has indicated that they hope to be able to support adult content in the future.”
In the meantime, Itch.io said those who wish to have their pages eligible for today’s re-indexing process must ensure they have the “no payments” option checked.
The platform is also putting a new content warning system in place for pages tagged as being NSFW. It states this refers to pages that have the “contains sensitive material” option checked, as well as tags that suggest the project includes adult content such as “porn” and “fetish”.
Itch.io said anyone wanting to be eligible for re-indexing is “required to complete this”. The platform added the feature is not quite ready as yet, but those who had their pages previously indexed will be given enough time to complete all the necessary processes “to avoid going in and out of indexing”.
You can find further information on the platform’s re-indexing efforts via Itch.io.
Today’s update from Itch.io follows last week’s news that the platform had “deindexed” all NSFW content following discussions with payment processors contacted by the same Australian pressure group that recently targeted Steam.
In June, itch.io creators began reporting their NSFW games were no longer being displayed in search results on the platform. At this time, platform founder Leaf Corcoran said: “We are truly sorry for the frustration and confusion caused by this change.”
Itch.io’s movement followed on from Valve “retiring” unspecified NSFW titles and introducing vague new rules banning “certain kinds of adult content” from its own PC storefront.