Digital distribution platform Itch.io has issued a formal statement explaining its recent and sweeping removal of all adult games and books from the store, including content previously purchased by users. The action, described by the company as urgent and necessary, has been met with significant backlash from creators and players alike.
The decision follows increasing scrutiny from payment processing partners, triggered by the controversial game No Mercy. Though the title was banned in April, it had been briefly available on Itch.io, prompting advocacy group Collective Shout to campaign against both Itch.io and Steam. Their concerns, which centered on the presence of explicit and potentially illegal content, were directed to payment processors servicing both platforms.
In response, Itch.io has now “deindexed” all adult and NSFW content from its browse and search pages. As a result, users are unable to purchase or even redownload content they had already purchased, effectively making such items inaccessible.
“We understand this action is sudden and disruptive, and we are truly sorry for the frustration and confusion caused by this change,” the company stated. According to the platform, preserving its ability to process payments was a critical concern that left them with little choice.
“This is a time critical moment for itch.io. The situation developed rapidly, and we had to act urgently to protect the platform’s core payment infrastructure. Unfortunately, this meant it was not realistic to provide creators with advance notice before making this change.”
As part of their updated policy, Itch.io is conducting a thorough audit of all hosted content. Pages will remain hidden until the audit is completed. New compliance measures will follow, including requiring NSFW content creators to confirm that their work complies with the policies of all linked payment processors.
Some content will be permanently removed, and creators of those works will receive notifications through their registered email addresses. Accounts found to be in violation of the platform’s updated standards will be permanently suspended, with no possibility of appeal or payout.
Itch.io has also clarified the types of adult content that remain permissible. While fictional and illustrated content that is legal may still be hosted, anything that includes sexualized real-life imagery or AI-generated content resembling real individuals is banned. Additionally, any work that glorifies sexual violence or depicts minors in a sexual context is strictly prohibited.
Further, the company has provided a non-exhaustive list of prohibited themes under payment processor restrictions, which includes non-consensual acts, incest-related content, bestiality, and various extreme fetishes. “Our policy is not an invitation to push the boundaries,” the statement reads, emphasizing that rule violations will lead to permanent removal and potential transaction freezes.
Steam, another major digital storefront, has reportedly taken similar actions in recent days, suggesting a broader shift in how adult content is regulated across online gaming and publishing platforms. This development has fueled growing criticism among creators and players, with many arguing that payment processors now hold excessive influence over digital storefront operations. A petition is currently circulating online urging these processors to reconsider their control over content policy enforcement.
Itch.io concluded its statement by acknowledging the frustration within its community and promising a follow-up post as the situation evolves. While the platform has not offered a timeline for when content reviews will be completed, the abruptness and scope of the policy shift indicate a fundamental change in how the platform will operate going forward.
