There is a template circulating around on X in case some of you all want to reuse it:
"Dear itch.io team,
I’m writing as a long-time supporter of itch.io and of the vibrant, experimental, and deeply personal work that has flourished on your platform — especially from queer, trans, and marginalized creators whose games may not have found a home elsewhere.
It is with deep concern that I’ve learned about the recent measures to de-index or restrict access to NSFW games on the platform. While I understand that these actions may stem from external pressures—particularly from payment processors— I believe this approach risks undermining the very spirit of creative independence that itch.io has long represented.
Historically, itch.io has been one of the few truly open spaces for boundary-pushing, community-driven work in gaming. Many queer developers have used the platform not just to distribute their games, but to explore identity, intimacy, and survival in ways that mainstream platforms actively suppress. By restricting access to adult content, especially without transparent dialogue or alternative avenues, itch.io inadvertently echoes the censorship and erasure these creators already face elsewhere.
Rather than adopting a blanket de-indexing policy, I urge you to consider more nuanced solutions that preserve your payment infrastructure without compromising on your core values:
- Categorization tools: Implement or enhance robust tagging and filtering systems that give users clear control over what they see, while keeping adult content discoverable to those who seek it out.
- Opt-in visibility: Like many other web platforms that have had to deal with the pressure of card processors, let creators mark their content appropriately and allow users to opt into viewing NSFW material, ensuring compliance without erasure.
- Payment processor segmentation: Explore separate processing flows or alternative payment options.
- Public advocacy and transparency: Communicate openly with your community about the nature of the pressure you’re facing and invite public support. Many of us are willing to stand in solidarity with you if we know what’s at stake.
In this current political climate—where queer art is increasingly under attack—platforms like itch.io play an essential role. I sincerely hope you will reconsider this course of action and reaffirm your commitment to the creative communities that helped make itch.io what it is today."