Recently, game distribution platforms including Steam and itch.io have been removing adult games from their platforms en masse, causing significant ripples in the gaming community. The underlying reason has been identified as pressure from payment processors. On August 1st, Itch finally relented and announced a new solution: free adult games can be listed, but payment is prohibited, aiming to circumvent payment processors.

Compared to the previous blanket removals, this time at least those truly free, public-interest adult games can return. The rules stipulate that the games will be truly free upon listing, with no payment options or proxy payment functionality.

Itch Platform has repeatedly explained that the removals were due to requirements from its long-standing payment processor partner, Stripe. However, Stripe has also publicly explained that the reason was pressure from its partner banks, and that Stripe itself seeks a diverse range of game types, creating a win-win situation for both parties.