IGDA Slams Game Delistings on Steam & Itch.io

Image Credit: IGDA and No Mercy

The indie game community is fighting back — and now, it’s got some serious backup. On July 29, the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) issued a statement criticizing the recent wave of adult game removals from major platforms.

In a bold move, the IGDA demanded “greater transparency and fairness in how adult games are moderated and actioned across major platforms.”

This response comes after weeks of growing frustration from developers who say their games are being quietly delisted, demonetized, or outright banned — often without warning or proper explanation.

Steam & itch.io’s Quiet Crackdown

This all started after a now-delisted game titled No Mercy sparked outrage from the Australian activist group Collective Shout in mid-April. They accused major platforms of allowing content that promoted sexual violence and abuse, and they didn’t stop there. On July 11, they sent an open letter to the CEOs of PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, and others — demanding action.

It didn’t take long for platforms to respond. Steam began delisting adult games without explanation, and itch.io quietly updated its content guidelines, banning themes like non-consensual content, incest, revenge porn, and anything involving "pseudo" relationships or "barely legal" depictions. The language is vague, and developers are understandably nervous.

For many creators, this felt like a wave of censorship coming not directly from platforms, but from payment processors behind the scenes.

And the situation is still heating up and shows no signs of cooling down. Just yesterday, indie creators noticed several more adult-themed games disappearing from itch.io — suggesting the platform’s crackdown is still very much in motion.

It’s Not Just About Steam and itch.io

Even though itch.io was more transparent about updating its FAQ, Steam hasn’t publicly addressed its recent removals. That silence only adds to the confusion. Developers aren’t sure what’s allowed anymore, or how to avoid sudden takedowns.

What’s worse is that some of these games are often created by people who already face systemic challenges — queer creators, marginalized artists, and those telling personal, difficult stories through interactive media.

And while these creators are being silenced, games with mainstream violence or suggestive content that don’t challenge the status quo? They seem to skate by untouched.

What IGDA Said in the Statement 

In its official statement, the IGDA strongly criticized “vague enforcement of policies delisting and deplatforming legal, consensual, and ethically-developed games, especially from LGBTQ+ and marginalized creators.”

IGDA warns this kind of enforcement doesn’t just censor art — it hurts real people. When a game is removed without context, the group stated, “creators lose income, reputation, and the ability to tell stories that challenge norms and reflect underrepresented perspectives.”

Further, IGDA made clear it does not support content that promotes "sexual violence, non-consensual sexual acts, or the sexualization of minors." But the organization strongly believes that "lawful, consensual, and ethically developed games" deserve a fair review process—not removal based on fear of reputational risk or external pressure.

To protect creators, the IGDA is advocating for several policy changes across platforms and payment processors, including:

• Clear, detailed guidelines distinguishing what is prohibited from what is lawful

• Prompt communication when enforcement actions are taken

• Structured appeal processes for affected developers

• Advisory panels featuring legal experts, developers, and safety professionals

• Regular transparency reports to show how and why enforcement is happening

Additionally, the IGDA recommended exploring alternative, adult-industry-compliant payment partners such as CCBill and Verotel, which are designed to support legal adult content creators without imposing arbitrary content restrictions.

The association also provided links to advocacy groups like the EFF, Woodhull Freedom Foundation and Free Speech Coalition, encouraging developers to seek support and legal guidance if affected.

The IGDA isn’t stopping here. It has launched an anonymous form for developers to share their experiences, with the goal of using the data to guide further action.

More importantly, the organization is urging the gaming industry—especially platforms and financial gatekeepers—to engage directly with creators and advocacy groups to develop fair, transparent, and inclusive content moderation systems. "This issue is not just about adult content. It is about developer rights, artistic freedom, and the sustainability of diverse creative work in games," IGDA stated.

Industry Support Is Growing

IGDA’s response isn’t happening in a vacuum. Earlier this week, UK industry body UKIE also stepped in, urging payment processors and digital storefronts to trust age-rating systems like PEGI and ESRB instead of folding under pressure from activist groups.

"We believe payment providers and platforms alike should have confidence in trusted age rating systems and the enforcement mechanisms behind them," UKIE stated, suggesting that existing systems already do a good job of flagging inappropriate content.

Developers behind the award-winning game Consume Me, Naomi Hsia and Rio Thomson, also voiced their concern. In a joint letter to PC Gamer, they said: “Covering adult topics introduces new and exciting pitfalls. But our art — just like anyone else’s — deserves to exist.”

Across social media, creators are speaking up. Some are organizing mutual aid funds for those who lost income due to delistings. Others are calling for storefront alternatives that don’t rely on credit card companies with moral policing tendencies.