itch.io

In light of recent news about censorship, I believe we need a new platform where developers and gamers can collaborate. This platform shouldn't be controlled by any single company or individual and should not be influenced by external forces, such as payment processors exerting pressure.

I envision an open-source platform for sharing and purchasing games, a non-profit entity that is self-sufficient in its operations, and most importantly, built by and for the community.

To make this a reality, we first need motivated and interested individuals to come together. We must align around the common goal of transparency, ensuring that the platform remains true to its community-driven roots.

We must identify problems and find solutions before executing the work. We must write specifications for all edge cases.

To be more specific, the community should play a central role in screening and curating games. To ensure the integrity of the project, the platform should only retain a minimal fee from sales to cover development and operational costs. Monthly profit and expense reports should be made publicly available. Decision-making for the platform should be democratic, involving valuable members of the community, including game developers, through a voting system. The community should always consider the perspectives of gamers.

If you're interested, check out: https://xanimerl.itch.io/open-game-initiative Please understand that there is nothing built yet; it's simply a ground to chat and try to create a better place for everyone.

P.S.

I'm aware that I might not be the perfect candidate to lead this initiative, as English is not my native language, and I'm just a small developer who doesn't really know anyone in the gaming industry or community.

Ultimately, I'm looking to find like-minded individuals to collaborate and create a well-oiled platform where everyone brings their unique skill set and a strong commitment to free speech and fighting censorship.

First post: https://itch.io/t/5122071/i-guess-its-time-for-a-gaming-platform-that-only-accep...

This is a long shot! For it to work, we basically need a significant number of interested developers to join and collaborate.

I've created a Discord server: https://discord.gg/ukqJzxkVK9

There is a welcome message that explains everything. I've also set attainable goals to work towards. Sharing the link and spreading the word through simple word-of-mouth is how we can make this initiative a reality.

This is a project for both developers and consumers.

This is a just a dream, but it would be fantastic to create a platform with the community at its heart. This would involve a Discord server for community management and a standalone, open-source platform/website dedicated to serving games. The community should play a central role in screening and curating the games available on the platform. To ensure transparency and trust, the platform should only retain a minimal fee to cover development and operational costs, with monthly profit and expense reports made publicly available. Decision-making for the platform should be democratic, involving valuable members of the community, including game developers, through a voting system.

Must have features for the platform:

• A comprehensive game listing system with sorting and filtering options, such as category, tags, and more.
• An integrated review system to provide feedback and ratings.
• Customization options allowing developers to create their own front page using HTML/CSS, with available templates.
• A developer dashboard for project management and access to earning statistics and payouts.
• An archive section for version and patch histories, ensuring users can access previous updates.

I'm sure theres more, but this is what came on top of my head.

To bring this to life, we have to gather close to all affected game developers on a Discord server and start planning collaboratively. With everyones input, Im sure we can create a plaform and environment for developers and gamers a-like in a short amount of time.

"I never thought I'd say that in my life," I understand your feeling, crypto has been tarnished a lot, from meme coins and scams to poor usability and rug pulls. However, the underlying technology is truly revolutionary. It offers the opportunity to process international services and goods without relying on a central authority. This capability is fundamental to our future. It provides us with the tools to challenge these cartels :)

Ye... Shame though, it would have been great if Itch would have stood and decided for another solution instead of caving in to their demands. It's not like there is no alternative... I think we would have understood that even if another solution for processing payment isn't ideal, it's surely way better than simply censoring content.

Yep! This could also be added as a alternative form of payment. IMO, any payment process / logic that isn't tied directly with the product being bought is good.

Or itch.io can simply ditch payment processors directly and partner with popular / easy to use crypto services.

Anyone knows one that we should use / advertize or we should build one?

I just released an early access version of my game this week and we're all shadowbanned now. What an unfortunate timing :(

A Tale of Fortunate Lust : (Sliding Puzzle / Visual Novel) https://xanimerl.itch.io/a-tale-of-fortunate-lust

Fun time for everyone...