Itch.io, the popular digital marketplace for indie games, has announced it’s actively searching for new payment processing partners after facing increasing pressure from current processors over adult content. The platform, known for its creator-friendly policies, is struggling with ultimatums from payment networks that threaten to cut off services unless stricter content policing is implemented.
The core issue stems from payment giants Visa and Mastercard, which collectively control roughly 90% of networked card transactions globally. These companies have become increasingly unwilling to process payments for platforms hosting adult content, regardless of whether that content is legal in relevant jurisdictions.
“Any kind of attempt at a workaround will result in platforms losing all payment processing,” an industry insider familiar with the situation told Spilled. The pressure isn’t unique to Itch.io—similar crackdowns have affected other platforms including Steam, DLsite, Fanbox, and numerous adult content websites.
For indie developers specializing in adult games, visual novels, or mature-themed content, these restrictions represent an existential threat. Many creators from marginalized communities have found Itch.io to be one of the few platforms where they could distribute their work and earn income without corporate censorship.
Alternative payment solutions are limited and problematic. Cryptocurrency might seem like an obvious solution, but it introduces significant barriers including price volatility, technical complexity, and limited mainstream adoption. As one observer put it, moving to crypto risks “alienating most consumers.”
Some platforms have attempted to create virtual currency systems with 1:1 exchange rates to dollars, but payment processors have previously targeted these workarounds when the underlying platform hosts content they deem problematic.
David vs. financial goliaths
The situation highlights a fundamental power imbalance in digital commerce. Payment processors aren’t legally required to ban adult content—these are corporate policies driven by risk aversion and fear of potential lawsuits. Yet their decisions effectively determine what can be bought and sold online, even when the products in question break no laws.
For Itch.io, finding new payment partners willing to process adult content transactions while maintaining ease of use for customers represents a significant challenge. The platform’s commitment to supporting diverse creators now faces its biggest test yet as it navigates these turbulent financial waters.
