Itch.io 'deindexes' all NSFW games, blames same anti-porn group that campaigned against Steam

Itch.io, the digital distribution platform known for its focus on independent game developers and other artists, has “deindexed” all NSFW content following discussions with payment processors contacted by the same Australian pressure group that recently targeted Steam.

Hints that something was afoot on the platform first surfaced on social media earlier today, as itch.io creators began reporting their NSFW games were no longer being displayed in search results. Alarm bells immediately began ringing given recent similar events on Steam, which saw Valve “retiring” unspecified NSFW titles and introducing vague new rules banning “certain kinds of adult content” from its store.

Itch.io’s response, meanwhile, has been even more drastic. It’s confirmed the deindexing, albeit temporarily, of “all” adult NSFW content from its browse and search pages. “We are truly sorry for the frustration and confusion caused by this change,” platform founder Leaf Corcoran wrote in a statement shared on the website.

“Recently, we came under scrutiny from our payment processors regarding the nature of some content hosted on itch.io,” it continued. “Due to a game titled No Mercy, which was temporarily available on itch.io before being banned back in April, the organisation Collective Shout launched a campaign against Steam and itch.io, directing concerns to our payment processors about the nature of certain content found on both platforms.”