In recent weeks, the gaming industry has been embroiled in controversy following the removal of numerous adult-themed games from major platforms such as Steam and Itch.io. This action has sparked a debate over the influence of financial institutions on digital content and the boundaries of creative expression.
Mastercard’s Position
On August 1, 2025, Mastercard issued a statement denying any direct involvement in the removal of adult content from gaming platforms. The company asserted that it had not evaluated or mandated restrictions on any games, emphasizing its commitment to allowing all lawful purchases on its network. However, Mastercard also highlighted the responsibility of merchants to implement appropriate controls to prevent the use of its cards for unlawful purchases, including illegal adult content.
Valve’s Response
Contrary to Mastercard’s claims, Valve, the parent company of Steam, provided a different account. According to Valve, Mastercard did not communicate directly with them despite requests to do so. Instead, Mastercard engaged with payment processors and their acquiring banks, who then relayed concerns to Valve. These intermediaries cited Mastercard’s Rule 5.12.7, which prohibits transactions that could damage the brand’s reputation or involve offensive content. Valve’s existing policy of distributing only legally permissible games was deemed insufficient by these payment processors, leading to the removal of certain titles.
Impact on Itch.io
The indie game platform Itch.io faced similar challenges. In response to pressure from payment processors, Itch.io temporarily removed adult games from its search and browse pages while conducting a broader audit. The platform is currently re-indexing free adult content and negotiating with payment processors like Stripe, which has stated its inability to support sexually explicit content due to concerns from banking partners.
Advocacy Group Influence
The catalyst for these actions appears to be an open letter from the advocacy group Collective Shout, addressed to executives at major financial companies, including Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal. The letter criticized these companies for facilitating the sale of games depicting controversial themes such as rape, incest, and child sexual abuse. This advocacy led to increased scrutiny and subsequent policy changes by game platforms.
Broader Implications
This situation underscores the significant influence financial institutions wield over digital content distribution. By controlling access to payment networks, companies like Mastercard can indirectly dictate the availability of certain content, even if it is legally permissible. This raises concerns about financial censorship and the potential suppression of creative expression.
Developers and creators are now navigating a landscape where the definitions of acceptable content are influenced by the policies of financial intermediaries. The lack of clear guidelines and the potential for overreach have left many in the industry uncertain about the future of adult-themed content on major platforms.
Conclusion
The ongoing dispute between Mastercard and gaming platforms like Valve highlights the complex interplay between financial institutions, digital marketplaces, and content creators. As the industry continues to evolve, it is crucial to establish transparent policies that balance the interests of all stakeholders while safeguarding creative freedom and lawful expression.
