itchio update

Well. Itchio has, once again, quietly added new rules about adult content without any word or notice. There has been no email, no socmedia announcement.

<img src="../img/2025/itchioupdate/newrules.jpg" alt="itchios new rules. The following is a non-exhaustive list of prohibited themes present in card processing networks. We are unable to support the sale of any works containing these topics:

Non-consensual content (real or implied) Underage or “barely legal” themes Incest or pseudo-incest content Bestiality or animal-related Rape, coercion, or force-related Sex trafficking implications Revenge porn / voyeur / hidden cam Fetish involving bodily waste or extreme harm (e.g., “scat,” “vomit”)

It’s almost impossible to come up with an exhaustive list of unacceptable products to sell, so often we have to take content reviews one at a time. If an issue arises with your account that isn’t already covered by our policy, then we will contact you and share what options you may have.

If you've collected money while in violation of terms, we may be forced to refund or freeze all pending transactions, as accounts that are in violation of our terms are not eligible for payouts." loading="lazy">

Let's go through this mess.

Note how itchio does not differentiate between these subjects presented in a nsfw/kink or sfw/non-kink way. They're vague that anything can, and will fall under these terms. It's listed under "adult content", but what is adult content in this sense?

Non-consensual content. Can you guess as to what that means? I'm sure between us both, we could come up with a million different things. Two characters break into a fight? Another character kisses another with no warning? A car crash? Someone eating something they don't like? A character being kidnapped in an action type game?

If you're new to nsfw ban waves, this usually covers hypnosis. Which has been a carnary in the coalmines for decades. The people in charge of this payment companies probably remember video nasty. It was believed (my knowledge is ireland/uk based) during the 50s-70s many films had a hypnotic quality to them, that viewers would simply be driven to do things they saw on the big screen. How unchristian.

Again, I thought this was already banned???

Again, they have not clarified. Underage characters fighting? Feeling sexual feelings? A fade to black? You can argue I'm being obtuse, but with rules this vague, it could really be anything.

Itchio is built on siscon games LOL. They have been silently pulling games with these themes. Again, not clear. There are many popular games, such as Umineko and House of Fata Morgana which deal with these topics in an adult, complex way.

Goodbye all furry games.

This will include antro. If not instantly, it will down the line.

This one you could say makes perfect sense. Let's see that in action:

Of all the games @itchio.bsky.social chose as a reason to suspend me . . . They didn't choose the NSFW erotica. They didn't choose the ones about kink. They choose the one that depicts a man's disbelief & pain over being sexually assaulted. What. The. FUCK.

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— Bez: Interactive Fiction, Visual Novels, & Writing (@norbezjones.bsky.social) 24 July 2025 at 20:49

Not even a game dealing with the aftermath of trauma can escape. These will be twisted and used against you.

As above, how will this be enforced? What if we have a game where the player is a cop sent in to bust the operation? Is that allowed?

These two may seem like odd ducks, they're a lot more pointed. I think it has something to do with the British Obscene Publications Act/new agelaw bills in place. The UK has always been behind other countries with their obscenity laws.

I have been hard on itchio so far. You may say isn't this the payment processor? Shouldn't we go easy on itchio? We want to keep it up as a storefront! I feel both ways. I have goodwill towards itchio, they've obviously wanted to host adult work on their site since the beginning. But at the moment, I think they do deserve some criticism for how poorly this is being handled. Patreon holds townhalls and informs creators via emails about new changes to their TOS. Itchio has reported on their registrar. I'm really shocked they haven't prepared a boilerplate pr statement for this to eventually happen.

Good morning. Did you call your local censorious payment processor and let them know you’re upset with their bullying of Steam and itchio? No time better than the present

yellat.money

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— Ana Valens | 🔞 (@acvalens.net) 25 July 2025 at 14:05

If you can, please take the time to either call (please be polite!) or email mastercard/visa/stripe for this. Frame it as a consumer issue. There has been huge process and coverage already. We can make our voices heard!

--xoxo becky