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Mastercard denies pressuring game platforms, Valve tells a different story
Mastercard refutes claims of pressuring game platforms over adult content bans, while Valve states that communication occurred through payment processors. The situation arose after advocacy group Collective Shout criticized the sale of violent games. Steam and Itch.io are removing or auditing games with adult themes, aiming to comply with payment processing rules.
Key points
- Mastercard denies allegations of pressuring game platforms to restrict adult content.
- Valve claims communication only occurred through payment processors, not directly with Mastercard.
- Steam will ban games violating payment processor rules, citing risks to the Mastercard brand.
- Itch.io is removing adult content from its browse and search pages after the backlash.
- Collective Shout criticized payment processors for enabling sales of games depicting serious abuse themes.
Why it matters
- The situation highlights ongoing tensions between digital content creation, payment processing, and legal regulations.
- There is a growing trend in the gaming industry regarding content moderation and the responsibilities of payment processors due to societal pressures.
- Legal and societal attitudes towards adult content in games are evolving, influencing market dynamics and platform policies.
This incident underscores the complexity of content moderation in gaming, spotlighting how financial stakeholders influence what can be sold, amidst increasing societal scrutiny.