International Game Developers Association on NSFW Delistings: “Financial Institutions Are Now Influencing Which Stories Can Be Told”

by Danica Davidson
July 31, 2025

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) describes itself as “the world’s largest nonprofit membership organization serving all individuals who create games” and it put out a statement in regards to the delisting of legal NSFW games at Steam and itch.io after pressure from payment processors. Spoiler alert: the IGDA isn’t happy.

“We are alarmed by the vague enforcement of policies delisting and deplatforming legal, consensual, and ethically-developed games.” the organization wrote.

It continued, “Further reports suggest that recent policy changes are driven in large part by pressure from payment processors like Visa, Mastercard, and others, who may threaten to withhold payment processing services from platforms hosting adult content. As a result, financial institutions are now influencing which stories can be told and sold in games, with minimal transparency or public accountability.”

It pointed out that these delistings of legal games have hurt developers financially, harmed their reputations, and is suppressing their creativity.

It listed some recommendations, including having clear guidelines on what’s allowed, giving developers the ability to appeal a decision, and having regular transparency reports.

In its “Our Call to Action” section it says, “This issue is not just about adult content. It is about developer rights, artistic freedom, and the sustainability of diverse creative work in games.”

Then it supplies easy ways to contact Visa and Mastercard. For instance, you can email Visa at [email protected], call them up at 1-800-847-2911, or go to the contact section of their website here.

Likewise, you can email Mastercard at [email protected], call them at 1-800-999-0363 (if you live in America) or at 1-636-722-6176 (if you live outside of America) or go to the contact section of their website here.

IGDA argued, “The right to make mature games with legal adult content is a creative right, just like the right to tell stories about war, death, or love. Developers deserve clarity in the guidelines impacting their work, consistency in the enforcement of those policies, and respect for their creative freedoms.”

Source: International Game Developers Association

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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.