Key Takeaways
1. Payment processors are scrutinizing the gaming sector, leading to the removal of games with adult themes from platforms like Steam and Itch.io.
2. Zoom Platform is facing potential removal of retro games with adult material but will not censor popular franchises like GTA and Duke Nukem.
3. Zoom Platform is working with PayPal and Stripe to address concerns about adult content in their offerings.
4. New security measures at Zoom Platform include two-factor authentication and a virtual wallet system for managing funds.
5. Advocacy groups like Collective Shout are influencing payment processors, raising concerns that legal NSFW games may face future censorship.
The gaming sector has recently faced scrutiny from payment processors, leading to the removal of games with adult themes. Initially, Valve agreed to eliminate several titles from its Steam platform. Following that, more than 20,000 indie games featuring mature content were taken off Itch.io. Now, it seems Zoom Platform, known for offering DRM-free retro games, might be next on the chopping block. Nevertheless, they have no plans to censor well-known franchises like GTA and Duke Nukem.
Notice on Adult Content
Zoom Platform shared an update on their website about these developments. The platform described a conversation with a payment processor where a “fellow industry member” raised concerns regarding some of its retro offerings. It appears that the titles under scrutiny contain adult material, similar to many games that have been removed from other services. Zoom is actively collaborating with PayPal and Stripe to address these issues.
New Security Measures
To enhance customer security, Zoom Platform has introduced two-factor authentication for checkout processes. Additionally, they are implementing a virtual wallet system allowing users to manage funds without relying on credit cards for individual game purchases. Similar to Itch.io, they’re also looking into alternative payment solutions that impose fewer restrictions on adult-themed content.
The marketplace reached out to GamingOnLinux to share more insights. Retro games such as Grand Theft Auto, Saints Row, and Duke Nukem are now at risk, even if not all titles are currently available for sale on their platform.
Advocacy Group Influence
Gamers have pointed fingers at advocacy organizations like Collective Shout for their role in swaying payment processors. This Australian group opposes any games or films they consider degrading to women or girls. Notably, they previously campaigned to ban Grand Theft Auto V, which means any DRM-free GTA games with comparable themes could become a target.
Major credit card companies, including Mastercard, claim that they only object to transactions involving illegal content. However, this has not quelled concerns among critics who fear that any games with legal NSFW or adult themes could soon face censorship.
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