Itch.io
Itch.io business and news from across the web.
The Sunday PapersThis article discusses various topics in game design and the industry, including Bruno Dias's thoughts on meaningful choice in narrative, Oma Keeling's analysis of modernism and postmodernism in platformers like Fallstruktur and Automaton Lung, and Justine Barron's critique of media bias regarding Long Covid. It also touches on the politics of Dungeons & Dragons, advice for writing about indie games from Michael Brough, and the Itch.io manifesto jam.
"We have to have free human expression in some capacity": Patreon CEO shares frustrations about getting adult content past payment processorsPatreon CEO Jack Conte expressed frustration with payment processors like Stripe and Mastercard, who dictate policies on 'adult content' and threaten to withhold services. This pressure has led platforms like Steam and Itch.io to change their policies, impacting creators. Conte highlighted Patreon's efforts to build leverage through a 'hot-swappable payments architecture' to better support artists on the platform, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges in navigating these complex financial and content regulations.
The Hours Before Wyndham news - Acre of the DevilThe Hours Before Wyndham, a standalone top-down action horror experience set in the world of Acre of the Devil, is now available for free on itch.io. This smaller project serves as a prelude to the much larger and more ambitious Acre of the Devil, which is planned for future release and will feature expanded content, deeper systems, and more gameplay improvements. The game is built in Unreal Engine 5 and focuses on atmosphere, fast-paced combat, exploration, and dark western-inspired horror.
How Small Game Studios Are Bootstrapping in 2026The article analyzes how small game studios can bootstrap their development in 2026 without external funding, highlighting platforms like Itch.io for concept validation, Steam Early Access for revenue generation, Kickstarter for community-funded projects, and Poki for publishing partnership and player data. It emphasizes that these methods are not mutually exclusive and depend on a studio's immediate needs.
Power of Pride Bundle launches on itch.ioThe itch.io platform has launched the Power of Pride Bundle, featuring a collection of digital and physical games, comics, and other media from 284 queer creators. The bundle aims to provide direct financial aid to these artists and includes both a full edition and a pay-what-you-can option. The initiative is presented as a continuation of the original Queer Games Bundle and takes a stance against AI-generated content.- Itch.io launches The Power of Pride Bundle 2026, hosting projects from 284 queer creatorsItch.io has launched The Power of Pride Bundle 2026, featuring 396 projects from 284 queer creators. The bundle is priced at $60 and includes NSFW content, in support of creators impacted by delistings in 2025.
45+ PS5, PS4 Games to Buy in PS Store's Big Games Big Deals SaleThe PlayStation Store is currently hosting its Big Games Big Deals sale, featuring thousands of discounted PS5 and PS4 titles until May 6, 2026. The article highlights a curated selection of recommended games, many of which are at their lowest-ever prices.
Reality-bending puzzles arrive in Uncle Lee's Cookbook: Five Recipes for Disaster on May 12Uncle Lee's Cookbook: Five Recipes for Disaster, a collection of five reality-bending puzzle episodes, is set to release on May 12th. Lead programmer Giuseppe Sellaroli confirmed it will be available DRM-free on Steam, GOG, and itch.io, featuring pixel art, witty dialogue, and English voice acting with Italian subtitles. The game also includes a native Linux version compatible with Steam Deck.
Adult games may be an unintended beneficiary as FTC pressure payment providers like Visa and Mastercard not to debank Trump supporters, but I doubt itThe US Federal Trade Commission has sent letters to major payment providers like Visa and Mastercard, urging them not to deny services based on political or religious views. This action, intended to prevent discrimination against Trump supporters, could inadvertently benefit the adult games industry by discouraging payment processors from bowing to pressure that previously led to content delistings on platforms like Itch.io and Valve.
The video game payment processor crisis may be getting better, thanks to the American Federal Trade CommissionThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued warnings to payment processors like Mastercard, Visa, Stripe, and PayPal, stating they cannot deny service based on political or religious views. This action may alleviate the ongoing crisis affecting video game developers and platforms, such as Itch.io and Valve, who have faced restrictions on content and payment services due to pressure from these processors.
HORSES wins the 2026 Nuovo Award despite the bans from Steam and Epic GamesThe game HORSES, developed by Santa Ragione, has won the Nuovo Award at the Independent Games Festival despite being banned from Steam and Epic Games. The game is available on GOG and itch.io. Other IGF award winners included Titanium Court for Excellence in Design and Seumas McNally Grand Prize, and Perfect Tides: Station to Station for Excellence in Narrative.