Mastercard Denies Pressure on Steam and Itch.io Over Adult Games
Mastercard has released an official statement, pushing back against claims from gamers and media outlets that it has been restricting the sale of adult-oriented games on digital storefronts like Steam and Itch.io.
Mastercard's Official Stance
In its statement, Mastercard explicitly asserts, “We have not evaluated any of the games nor have we demanded restrictions from any platform, contrary to media reports and claims.” The company further emphasizes that its payment network adheres to “legal regulations” and permits all lawful transactions.
However, the same statement includes a crucial caveat: Mastercard requires merchants to ensure that their cards are not used for illicit purchases, which includes “illegal adult content.” This specific phrasing, as some media outlets have pointed out, leaves significant room for interpretation. This is particularly relevant given that the organization Collective Shout has publicly stated its efforts to influence Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal to halt the sale of projects featuring “sexualized violence.”
Impact on Gaming Platforms
The situation on the affected platforms remains complex. While free adult games are reportedly being re-indexed on Itch.io, the resolution for paid titles is expected to be much slower. On Steam, a quick change is unlikely. Valve has already updated its terms and conditions, granting the platform the ability to remove titles if payment systems object to their sale.
For players, this means that even if a game is deemed legal and appropriate by Steam's own guidelines, it could still be removed if a major payment processor decides against it. This introduces a new layer of uncertainty for both developers and consumers of adult content on PC gaming platforms.
Industry Support for Developers and Players
Amidst these developments, two prominent organizations have voiced their support for gamers and developers. The Japanese Association for Freedom in Entertainment Industry (AFEE) and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) have both issued statements expressing their concerns about the removal of 18+ titles from these platforms, highlighting the broader implications for creative freedom and content distribution within the industry.
This ongoing saga underscores the delicate balance between payment processor policies, platform guidelines, and the demands of advocacy groups, leaving the future availability of certain types of games in a state of flux.
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