Key Takeaways
1. DLsite has introduced its own payment system, Minna no Ginko Payment, after facing censorship from payment processors like Visa and Mastercard.
2. In 2024, DLsite abandoned Visa and Mastercard to continue selling adult content, limiting payment options for users in Japan and complicating access for international buyers.
3. Steam and itch.io are also experiencing pressure from payment processors, leading to the removal of certain games and changes in payment methods.
4. An activist group, Collective Shout, is accused of influencing credit card companies to censor mature content, with some critics questioning their true motivations.
5. Valve discontinued support for Bitcoin in 2017 due to concerns about fraud and instability, and has not yet announced new payment processor options following recent changes.
Much attention has been directed at platforms like Steam that are banning NSFW games. In contrast, Japanese websites have already faced censorship from payment processors. DLsite, which sells independent games and manga—some containing adult material—has introduced its own payment system after turning down limitations from Visa and Mastercard.
New Payment Method Introduced
According to reports from Automaton, the new payment system, Minna no Ginko Payment, links to Minna no Ginko, a local digital bank. Buyers can connect their bank accounts to viviON IDs, a service set up by the parent company of the store. Sadly, while the site is well-known globally, this option is not accessible outside of Japan.
Changes in Payment Options
In 2024, DLsite decided to abandon Visa and Mastercard instead of removing digital games, comics, and videos that contain adult content. This left users in Japan with limited payment choices, and those from other countries had to seek even more complex solutions. Subsequently, Steam and itch.io have had to deal with similar challenges after payment processors pressured them, leading to the removal of certain games.
The issue intensified in August when Steam stopped allowing PayPal in various countries. Valve clarified that the banks associated with PayPal asked for its discontinuation. Consequently, gamers found themselves unable to use numerous currencies for transactions. Valve stated it was looking into other payment processors but hasn’t shared any updates since.
Activist Group’s Influence
Critics hold Collective Shout responsible for pushing credit card companies to censor games aimed at mature audiences. This activist group claims to target works that depict the abuse of women. However, some argue that their opposition to the game Detroit: Become Human reflects a more political agenda rather than a genuine concern for illegal content.
It’s uncertain if Steam and itch.io will take the same direction as DLsite. Valve stopped supporting Bitcoin back in 2017 due to worries about fraud, high transaction fees, and the currency’s instability. Visa and Mastercard are major players in the e-commerce space and have been accused of anti-competitive behavior against rivals that might be more lenient towards censorship.
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