I think Itch.io needs to adjust their description after all this.
Specifically I think they should consider removing the word “open” from before the word “marketplace”, at least based on my understanding of the definition of an “open marketplace” being one that has minimal restrictions placed on who can sell content and the nature of the content that can be sold.
The way I always considered it:
Open marketplace for game creators. That doesn't require payment up-front and a grueling approval-phase, where if you get denied there is no possibility for appeal, even with changes (yes I'm looking at you Steam). All this, if you follow our guidelines and policies... be real, its 2025 and you need to accept a ToS and cookies to unlock your front-door. I have never considered Itch to be a completely "open" marketplace that just blanketly allows any form of content no matter what.
This is the type of thing that makes people convinced that the mission of what a company does cares more about profits than the mission they claim to be about.
While I'm not directing this statement as an attack on Itch.Io in specific it's kind of hard not to get that vibe when given the lack of clarity after a panic move is made and then conversations like this and a bunch of users who get angry begin to make posts venting about the decision.
