Digital distribution platform Itch.io has removed all adult games and books from its store, making them inaccessible to user.

The decision to remove all adult games and books from Itch.io (via dominictarason) was done due to restrictions from online payment processors. The front page of the digital distribution platform has left no trace of adult content, even for those who had opted to keep it visible. Not only can the platform’s users no longer purchase adult games or books, those who had previously bought them will also no longer be able to access or download them. They are likely to have been deleted permanently.

The situation has been handled in a rather messy manner by Itch.io, with no prior communication of this decision made to users or affected game creators. Horror visual novel Sweetest Monster Refrain developer ebihimes shared that her game was removed from the digital distribution platform without any kind of prior warning. Before the removal of adult content, Itch.io featured a total of 28,144 NSFW games. Currently, there’s only a quarter of them (7,008 to be exact) still available for purchase.

That said, the platform didn’t have much of a choice in this regard, as was also the case with Steam. These steps have hurriedly been taken by Itch.io likely due to direct takedown instructions from corporate payment processors such as Visa, Mastercard, Paypal in compliance with anti-pornography organizations.

Had Steam and Itch.io failed to do as payment processors instructed, they would have lost access to online payment processors. Without the availability of payment methods, the digital distribution platform would not have been able to accept transactions. In turn, they would effectively ceases to exist.

For the uninitiated, Itch.io is a platform where users can host, sell, and download indie video games, role-playing games, game assets, comics, zines, and music. The platform supports hosting game jams, events where participants create games within a set time frame.