itch.io

this is obviously not just for itch.io, but for many platforms. it reminds me of how onlyfans tried to ban its explicit content, despite the fact that the whole point of their website was said content. itch is obviously not like onlyfans, but they did have one thing in common: support for professions looked down upon. itch.io is (was) the only place i could reliably find uncensored, raw, real depictions of minority groups. the lgbt content on here is unmatched. i was able to see art made by people with zero budget; and a lot of the interesting stuff was the explicit content, exploring things we dare not say out loud. ive been brought to tears multiple times by twine games describing the hardships of trans people expressing their sexual autonomy. ive been moved by visual novels that resonate so deeply with me that i briefly forget that i live in a world where a percentage loathes the color of my skin, the way i love, the gender i identify as. i supported so many like-minded people. i found a whole other layer of indie authors publishing heart-wrenching lgbt erotica that surpassed many books i have read on shelves.

now my library is different.

there are devs and authors whose creations i lost, and forgot to follow them on other social platforms. ill probably never remember them all, there's just been too many. when you delete these pieces of art you don't just delete games or books or comics or visual novels or what have you. you delete memories. you delete history. you delete joy.

this is not only about porn, yes, but even if it was just about getting off, so what? that's an integral part to a huge chunk of the human population! every day, we are losing more and more places that allow us to be playful in a safe, controlled environment. gumroad was the only other option before people had to abandon ship. watching itch.io expand into so many other types of media with my favorite nsfw artists joining was so exciting back in the day....

if you know a person who works in sex work/nsfw entertainment, consider tipping them. even if you don't care about their stuff. its rough out there for them, ill tell you. i will remain optimistic, but this weighs heavy on my heart.

also we've spent like, thousands of dollars on this stuff. can we like... get it back?

unfortunately, now the only choice for getting online content out there that is controversial in any politically charged way is to advocate hard for the indie web and to uplift and seek out developers/creators who host their own content. this wont solve the payment card company problem, but it at least somewhat circumvents the issue of having tons of useful, beautiful, diverse art disappear overnight and never be seen again. the indie web is out there and it's beautiful, though imperfect. we all have the power to shape it if enough people give a damn about protecting art. if you have content (hate that word, sorry) from itch.io that got taken down that you don't mind giving out for free, consider making a website!

obviously easier said than done. it wont be the same. likely, nothing will return to the way it was, at least not here. but efforts can be made to at least preserve culture. i used to recommend this website to anyone looking for off-kilter, exciting, fresh art. this is not just the home of thousands of games, but of animations, books, comics... this was a home for me. i regret that i didn't archive every little thing i happened upon. safe havens don't last when these companies get involved. 

your art is worth keeping alive out here! make a neocities! use templates! scream everywhere at the top of your lungs that you exist and your creations deserve to take space! don't let anyone tell you otherwise. (not to say this is your responsibility to fix this. no individual can fix this. i do grieve with you.)

to creators who had their livelyhoods destroyed overnight: i'm sorry. i bought so many of your books and games, but i wish i could have done more. all i can do is sign petitions and advocate as annoyingly loud as possible. 

if a creator makes something that resonates with you, even if its something unsavory or politically challenging or "cringe", don't hide your appreciation if you loved it. be less afraid to rock the boat. NSFW content is value-neutral in a vacuum, and isn't inherently bad or good. celebrate the NSFW stuff you enjoy, because it will disappear before you know it.

the only way we will see change is through systemic change, but that can start with you and your artist friends making groups that support another. join a union! create a union! tell your friends "hey, your weird cringe furry yaoi robo-NSFW stuff should be plastered everywhere it ethically can be!" and then spread that stuff around when it's posted. we've all witnessed the rise of word of mouth when it comes to indie games. a single recommendation + a website with a dropbox link = your art in someone's hands. that's worth a billion call of dutys and fortnites.

MAKE! WEIRD! STUFF! FOREVER!