Adult content resurfaces on itch.io, following a major payment processor's optimistic stance to 'endorse adult content in the future'
In a move aimed at navigating increasing external pressure on adult content payment processing, indie gaming platform Itch.io has announced that it will re-index free adult content on its site, while paid adult content remains unavailable due to ongoing discussions with payment processors.
The decision comes after a sudden de-indexing of all adult NSFW content on Itch.io in late July 2025, following pressure from payment providers largely triggered by an anti-pornography lobby group, Collective Shout. The Australian group sent an open letter to major payment processors including Paypal, Mastercard, and Visa, demanding they cease processing payments on Steam and Itch.io.
One of Itch.io's major payment processors, Stripe, is currently unable to support sexually explicit content, stating that it cannot process payments for content "designed for sexual gratification." The company's definition of this content is prohibitively vague, leading to confusion and frustration among developers and content creators.
To have their content re-indexed, developers must mark their games as free (no payments) and comply with a newly introduced content warning system that applies to all NSFW-tagged pages. Itch.io founder Leaf Corcoran has confirmed that free adult content will be re-indexed on the platform, and a new content warning system will be implemented alongside the re-indexing.
However, paid adult content will only return if and when payment partners allow it. Itch.io is currently reaching out to alternative payment processors more willing to work with adult material, as part of a long-term plan to implement one or more new payment processors to avoid putting the platform at risk.
The debacle on Itch.io has highlighted the challenges faced by platforms hosting adult content in an increasingly conservative digital landscape. Itch.io enforces strict compliance with payment processor policies for NSFW content, including permanent bans and withholding payouts for violations, heightening tensions among adult content creators.
Shaun Prescott, the Australian editor of PC Gamer and a long-time games industry journalist, believes that Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day. Prescott's specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games, and FPSs.
Itch.io's re-indexing of free adult content is the first step towards addressing the problem that was impossible for the platform to immediately fix with any nuance. The company may review the initial list of content for potential re-introduction, with the hope that paid adult content will eventually be supported again.
References:
[1] Itch.io (2025). Content policy. [Online]. Available: https://itch.io/policy/content
[2] Itch.io (2025). Payment processors. [Online]. Available: https://itch.io/docs/payment-processors
[3] Collective Shout (2025). Open letter to payment processors. [Online]. Available: https://www.collectiveshout.org/open-letter-to-payment-processors/
[4] Kotaku (2025). Itch.io bans adult games following pressure from payment processors. [Online]. Available: https://kotaku.com/itch-io-bans-adult-games-following-pressure-from-paym-1848138199
- The re-indexing of free adult content on Itch.io marks a first step in addressing the issue, with the hope that paid adult content will be supported again in the future.
- Shaun Prescott, an Australian editor of PC Gamer and a games industry journalist, has expressed his belief that Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day.
- Itch.io is currently reaching out to alternative payment processors more willing to work with adult material as part of a long-term plan to implement one or more new payment processors to avoid putting the platform at risk.
- The debacle on Itch.io has emphasized the challenges faced by platforms hosting adult content in a digitally conservative landscape, with strict compliance enforced to avoid violations and potential bans or withheld payouts.
