It's not just my games, it's all of the NSFW games, they were not taken down but simply delisted until they review all of them and allow those who are legit to be accessed via some unique payment processor approval.
In any case, I am now making a subscriberstar & discord server and preparing alternative hosting for all of the users who purchased my games (and deserve an active download link at the least)
as well as place for updates / future games / support
How about ci-en/ dlsite? It's also worth investigating. dlsite.com/maniax to be more precise and https://ci-en.dlsite.com/ Dan Games a circle with games very similar to yours in graphics, style and subject (mother/son, brother/sister incest adventures) publishes there and he was actualy banned from itch long before this retarded purge. Also subcribe star looks like a valid option but idk if my cc will be allowed there:( Hope you don't mind me writting this, just trying to help and letting you know that I and I'm sure the rest of your fans are with you!
Something to take into consideration from someone who knows: subscribe-star is very unlikely to accept those without a more established social media history. This is coming from someone who's seen this multiple times. While you can apply for a page, it's just unlikely to be approved since you don't have any real social media accounts (twitter, bluesky, reddit, etc).
The other thing to keep in mind is that with the current situation with nsfw games on itch and steam being removed there is a very high chance of subscribe-star being overwhelmed with people wanting to apply. Basically: I would NOT bet anything on getting approved there anytime soon, unfortunately. Personally, I don't think I would even apply yet.
I see you mentioned discord. While I can understand the interest in making a server now you should be aware there has been a recent ban-wave for many accounts that just happened to be in a server that had anything against discord TOS. So if you do open one, you would have to keep a VERY tight eye on moderation for obvious reason.
Unfortunately, for now, nothing is really "safe" and therefore your options are limited. Even IF you were to apply and be lucky to be approved for a subscribe-star page, there is no guarantee that they, too, won't be targeted in time.
My only advice? Make a social media account (bluesky, twitter/x, reddit) to have a direct way for many to follow you quickly for any updates. And IF you do continue to make games you should consider an option for a patch for adult content, that can be downloaded ELSEWHERE, so the patch is NOT hosted on itch OR subscribe-star (if you apply AND get approved).
Look up Kagura Games, they're a western publisher for Japanese games that handles things for steam release. They have patches for almost every game they release on steam, for extra content not available directly in the steam download, for anyone interested. They do not directly link to the patch in the steam forums but that is out there for those who want it. It's the next best way to maybe handle this. And they have MANY games on steam now.
Sorry for the long post but I hope it can help you. I've followed and played your games for a long time. I appreciate the creativity in your work. I hope you can continue making the games you want to make of course. Good luck.
Hey! What a great service! That did help me alot! I already hosted the games on pixeldrain, and now need a sophisticated method to distribute them in exchange for payment of some sort. Also my existing games don't break any rules so maybe modifying the builds / storefront to clarify that could save their appearance on Itch.io.
I did not count on subscribe-star either way
Not sure of a sophisticated (but simple, for the masses) payment method involving off-site hosting except maybe a small store-front or plugin for a quick wordpress site with a buy-button. Not sure how feasible that really would be though.
I'm glad the post could help, and I hope it can lead to a better and more secure direction. Whether that still involves Itch or another site, that's up to you and the platform(s).
I'm not looking to discourage you from subscribe-star, but to have a chance at acceptance it's important to have something to show them like a social media account with a decent following. I can say that they also seem to be less accommodating towards 3D games recently.
At the very least I hope you open an account that is more widely viewable and easier to follow like an X/twitter or bluesky account. That allows you to post updates for followers and interact in smaller ways. You want to have an easy method to mass communicate with fans and followers in case of any changes.
If you do open a discord then please be direct and firm that there be NO posts with incest or age-gap related artwork or links. People can talk about whatever they like but any posts or links to artwork should be forbidden to keep the server alive and within TOS.
Last but not least: if you have to make modifications to game and storefront then definitely go for it if that may help. I think down the line though, if possible, the kagura games approach (patch off-site for 18+ content) is the next best way to continue. They have a simple FAQ about it and that approach is smart. Good luck!
Thank you for all of the insight!
I plan to re-introduce some of the games on itch (CCTV / Sunkissed) as SFW free version and linking the an external site that shares the full version dl's.
And the rest that I no longer have the project files for (Housewife / Refuge Roadtrip / Etc...) => just be sold there. And use "Payhip" (?) for selling them? No past experience with them tho'.
Do you think sharing the links with discord is likely to flag the channel for any reason?
Re-introducing sfw versions sounds good (though perhaps a little extra censorship on any potential nsfw-parts in pics may help future-proof?). Maybe later you can actually have these versions as paid-for and seeing if you can do the kagura games route of letting people look for more content and/or patches, etc, to have a presence and store-front on itch.
Haven't heard of payhip but on cursory search they seem to be an okay option. Hopefully that can remain so but of course you always want to have multiple options if possible.
Would also consider adding in more mini-games/gameplay to future projects which may help as well. The sfw version having some more gameplay hopefully wouldn't hurt in selling on here (side benefit also in that can help further refine or improve your own skills and interests in game making and mechanics?). But you should aim to, at least eventually, still be able to sell on this platform.
For discord, as long as the links shared are not to anything directly and obvious explicit and against TOS on immediate glance, then they probably can work I think.
Hopefully itch.io will introduce NSFW slowly back with a little more moderation I guess, and I'll just play by the rules.
The SFWs are up and published, they are extra censored for the safety and all of the family members are now step-family members.
Something tells me that sending people on techy missions like patching their game is unintuitive to a point in which people would rather download the same game twice but patched instead of connecting the wires, maybe I should also publish the SFW's on steam and hint on the discord having the extended version wink wink. I know from personal experience of publishing games to steam, that the review process is a torture and man I would rather make games with the little time available and instead of dealing with this crap.
Here's the discord for anyone who's curious: https://discord.gg/Gxkz8m7e
Thank you for all of the input I tried to stick to your warnings as much as I could.
The sfw versions are good to see and it's a smart move to begin with if you want to continue to be on platforms.
I understand the concern and reluctance with having people look for extra content elsewhere, but given it's worked for some developers and publishers it's something I hope will be given more thought. In the end it's about making sure you can have a place to reach people that are interested and hopefully, willing to support your work. I do think all options should always be on the table.
Steam would be great but I would take time to make sure your current system works for a while. Take things one day and one issue at a time. See what works for you (and others) and make any adjustments you can. And of course spend the time you hopefully prefer on making the work you want to create.
Glad I could help in any way I was able. Wishing you the best, and more luck of course. Hope the discord and the community can further help.
