Itch.io Drops Adult Content Support, Mirroring Steam’s Move

Itch.io Cracks Down on Adult content, Deindexes NSFW Titles Amid Payment Processor Pressure

In a move that has blindsided many developers, the independent gaming marketplace Itch.io has abruptly removed adult content from its browse and search functions. The platform has warned that some games may face permanent removal as it navigates concerns raised by its payment processors regarding the nature of certain hosted content.

The decision, announced by Itch.io creator Leaf Corcoran in a blog post on Thursday, stems from pressure exerted by payment partners. “Our ability to process payments is critical for every creator on our platform,” Corcoran stated. “To ensure that we can continue to operate and provide a marketplace for all developers, we must prioritize our relationship wiht our payment partners and take immediate steps towards compliance.”

Adult and pornographic titles have frequently been top sellers on Itch.io, a platform known for its diverse range of gaming content. Creators were given no prior notification of the policy shift. “We know this is not ideal, and we apologize for the abruptness of this change,” Corcoran added. It remains unclear if users who previously purchased adult games can still access them, with Itch.io not yet providing clarification on this point.While extensive guidelines for creators regarding permitted content are still forthcoming, Itch.io has indicated that developers will need to certify that their NSFW offerings comply with the rules set by their account’s payment processors. This abrupt change raises questions about potential user migration to option platforms, drawing parallels to past events like Tumblr’s exodus of NSFW content creators.

“We are currently conducting a comprehensive audit of content to ensure we can meet the requirements of our payment processors,” Corcoran explained. “Pages will remain deindexed as we complete our review. Once this review is complete, we will introduce new compliance measures.” The platform is undertaking this audit to align with the stringent requirements of its financial partners, a move that could significantly reshape the content available on Itch.io.

How does Itch.ioS policy change impact developers who specialize in adult games, and what alternative distribution strategies are they now exploring?

The Shift in Indie Game Platforms: A New Era for Content Creators

In a significant growth for the indie game development community, Itch.io has announced it will no longer support adult content on its platform, aligning its policies with those of Steam and Epic Games Store. This decision, revealed on July 23rd, 2025, marks a substantial change for a platform long celebrated for its open and permissive approach to game content. The move impacts developers creating NSFW games,adult games,and eroge titles,forcing them to reconsider their distribution strategies. this follows years of increasing pressure and evolving legal landscapes surrounding online content.

Why the Change? Understanding the Factors

Several key factors contributed to Itch.io’s decision. These include:

Legal and Regulatory pressure: Increasing scrutiny from governments worldwide regarding online content, particularly concerning depictions of explicit material and age verification, played a crucial role. Compliance with evolving laws like the Digital Services Act (DSA) in the EU is a major concern for all platforms.

Payment Processing Challenges: Major payment processors have become increasingly hesitant to work with platforms hosting adult content, leading to difficulties in processing transactions and potential financial instability.

Brand Safety Concerns: Advertisers and potential investors are often wary of associating with platforms perceived as hosting explicit material, impacting revenue streams and growth opportunities.

Platform Sustainability: Itch.io cited the increasing costs associated with moderating adult content and ensuring legal compliance as unsustainable for the long-term viability of the platform. Maintaining a safe and legally compliant surroundings requires significant resources.

Mirroring Industry Trends: Steam’s long-standing policy against explicit content, and the Epic Games Store’s similar stance, created a growing industry standard that Itch.io ultimately followed.

Impact on Developers: What Does This Mean for Creators?

The policy change has immediate and significant implications for developers who relied on Itch.io as a primary distribution channel for their adult-oriented games.

Loss of a Key Platform: Itch.io was a vital outlet for indie developers creating content that wouldn’t be accepted on larger, more restrictive platforms. This loss significantly reduces their reach.

Alternative Distribution Options: Developers are now forced to explore alternative distribution methods, including:

Patreon & Similar Platforms: Utilizing subscription-based services to directly connect with fans.

Personal Websites: Hosting games directly on their own websites, requiring them to handle payment processing, hosting, and security.

Dedicated Adult Game Platforms: exploring niche platforms specifically catering to adult content,though these often have smaller audiences.

Game Jams & Bundles: Participating in events and collections that may be more lenient with content restrictions.

Content Modification: Some developers may choose to modify their games to remove explicit content,allowing them to remain on Itch.io, but this compromises their artistic vision.

Increased Costs: Self-hosting and utilizing alternative platforms often come with increased costs for developers, impacting their profitability.

The Rise of Alternative Platforms for Adult games

With Itch.io’s shift, several alternative platforms are poised to gain prominence in the adult game space. These include:

ManhuaSoft: A dedicated platform for adult visual novels and games.

Lewdware: Another platform specializing in adult content, offering a range of genres.

Direct Sales via Developer Websites: Increasingly common, allowing developers full control but requiring significant marketing effort.

* FetLife: While not a dedicated game platform, FetLife’s community provides a potential avenue for distribution and promotion.

These platforms frequently enough cater to specific niches within the adult gaming market, offering developers targeted audiences. Though, they typically lack the broad reach and established user base of itch.io.

Case Study: Mosa Lina and the Itch.io Community

The work of developers like Mosa Lina, highlighted on platforms like Zhihu, exemplifies the creative freedom Itch.io once offered.Lina’s experimental games and iterative development process, showcased through GIFs and playable demos, thrived in Itch.io’s open environment. This type of innovative, niche content may find it harder to gain traction on more restrictive platforms. The loss of this supportive ecosystem is a significant blow