SteamRecently, new rules have been introduced to ban a large number of games containing adult content that violate the “standards” of payment providers such as Mastercard and Visa.
Collective, a feminist organization called “The Next Sweet Baby” by fans
Shout is the one behind it, forcing Mastercard and Visa to ban payment services for games that contain adult content.
In the Collective
After Shout used the same method (in conjunction with Mastercard and Visa payment providers), the indie game online store quietly added some guidelines itch.io clearly listed the list of prohibited topics:
• Involuntary content (whether real or implied)
• Underage or “just coming of age” related topics
• LL or pseudo-LL content
• QJ, coercion, or violence-related content
Wait a minute
“It’s almost impossible for us to make a complete list of all non-compliant products, so it’s often necessary to review them one by one,” itch.io added. If you have an issue with your account that is not explicitly covered by our existing policies, we will proactively contact you with an available solution.
If you have already received money in violation of the terms, we may request a refund or freeze all pending transactions – as the account that violates the rules will not receive settlement payments. ”
itch.io’s new rules will obviously hit adult game studios hard, and sneaking these guidelines is another PR blunder.
With this in mind, the following games are at risk of being banned according to itchio’s guidelines:
《quiescenceRidge”
“Danganronpa”
Baldur’s Gate 3
《GTA》
Red Dead Redemption: Redemption
Far Cry
The Witcher 3
“Like a Dragon”
“Watch Dogs”
Elden Ring
“Resident Evil”
“Detroit: Changing People”
Cyberpunk 2077
“Life is Strange”
Foreign media pointed out that the 2022 game “Elden Ring” is dangerous, although it has a complex and tortuous story and environment, but it is full of a large number of LL elements. In addition, many games have more or less adult content, such as the Witcher 3, another game of the year.
Games should be purely fictional and never be compared to real life. Fiction allows us to use our wildest imagination to create something. Therefore, a simple and brutal ban is not the solution.
At this time, we can’t help but ask: Originally, these games have been graded and meet the rating standards, even adult themes are allowed, and feminist organizations and payment companies themselves have started anew and reviewed outside of ESRB, PEGI and other rating agencies, so what is the meaning of these rating agencies? Does this still keep gamers alive?
